Forensic medicine teams across Texas
The Forensic Medicine department at Baylor Scott & White Health includes the Sexual Assault and Violence Response Team and the Child Protection Team. Together, they provide compassionate, sensitive, timely care for victims of violent crimes, child abuse and neglect.
Unique to Central Texas, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple and Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center – Temple staff serve individuals in an eight-county area, including Bell, McLennan, Falls, Milam, Coryell, Lampasas, Burnet and Williamson. A forensic medicine team at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – College Station serves the Brazos Valley.
Our forensic medicine teams are available at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple and Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Forensic nurse
The forensic nurse is available 24 hours a day for consultation. The nurse works closely with:
- Emergency department staff
- Law enforcement agencies
- Department of Family and Protective Services (CPS/APS)
- Local advocacy agencies
- Pediatrician with experience in the evaluation of child physical abuse and neglect
- Pediatric and adolescent gynecologist with experience in the evaluation of sexual abuse
- Adult and pediatric radiology staff
- Pediatric surgeons
- Trauma specialists
- Orthopedics
- Ophthalmologist
- Social work team
- Child life specialists
- Psychiatry department
- Criminal justice system
Both teams work together with advocates, law enforcement, legal professionals and the district attorney’s office to aid the investigation.
Forensic services provided
We offer forensic pathology services that include the following.
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Sexual assault services
When sexual assault has occurred, a forensic nurse who is a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) will provide nonjudgmental, compassionate care to the patient. SANEs are registered nurses who have had specialized training in the comprehensive medical forensic care of patients who have experienced sexual assault. They are certified by the Texas Office of Attorney General. In sexual assault cases, a forensic nurse can provide the following:
- Gathering complete medical forensic examination
- Forensic evidence collection with photographic documentation
- Comprehensive medical care with compassion and support
- Mental health support
- Medicine to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Medicine to help prevent pregnancy from the sexual assault
An advocate from a local advocacy organization who can provide information about services including shelter, counseling and crime victim compensation Schedule follow-up care.
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Domestic violence services
In domestic violence cases, a forensic exam is available with or without law enforcement reporting. A forensic examination can be performed for victims of domestic violence, strangulation, elder abuse and neglect, gunshot wounds and stabbings.
A forensic nurse can provide the following:
- A complete medical forensic examination with photographic documentation
- Forensic evidence collection
- Comprehensive medical care with compassion and support
- Mental health support
An advocate from a local advocacy organization who can provide information about services including shelter, counseling and crime victim compensation.
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Child abuse and neglect services
Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center has a specialized Child Protection Team in Temple that provides historical documentation, medical evaluations and treatment for suspected victims of child abuse and neglect.
In child abuse and neglect cases, the Child Protection Team in Temple can provide the following:
- A complete medical forensic examination with photographic evidence
- Forensic evidence collection and photo documentation of injury
- Comprehensive medical care with compassion and support
- Mental health support
- Access to community resources including the Department of Family and Protective Services and local advocacy organizations, including the Children’s Advocacy Center
Physicians and forensic nurses with SANE training are qualified and may testify in court as medical experts.
Report abuse
If you’ve been a victim of assault, time is of the essence. Evidence can be collected up to 96 hours after an assault.
Take the following steps as quickly as possible:
- Call the police department or 911* and go to the nearest emergency department: Adults should go to Baylor Scott & White – Temple. Children ages 17 and younger should go to Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's.
- Do not bathe, shower, swim, brush teeth or change clothes. The clothing worn during an assault may provide valuable forensic evidence: Go to your nearest emergency room and request to be seen by a SANE. Bring a change of clothes to the hospital, if possible. If you already changed clothes, bring the original clothes in a paper bag.
*Reporting to the police is always best but you can have a medical forensic exam without reporting to police if you are 18 years of age or older.