Overview

Course Overview

Explore the relationship between healthcare and forensic investigation with this Forensic Nursing Training Course – UK. The programme introduces the role of forensic nursing and examines how healthcare knowledge relates to the investigation of injuries and other forensic matters.

The curriculum begins with an introduction to forensic nursing and forensic mental health nursing, exploring their roles within healthcare and forensic contexts. These topics provide an overview of the specialist considerations associated with supporting individuals involved in forensic processes.

Further lessons examine the assessment of wounds and injuries, introducing the relevance of injury-related observations in forensic healthcare. The course also covers death investigation and forensic toxicology, exploring how these specialist areas contribute to forensic investigations.

Designed for learners interested in forensic healthcare, nursing-related studies and the wider field of forensic science, the course provides introductory knowledge of the disciplines and concepts associated with forensic nursing.

Key Curriculum Topics

• Introduction to Forensic Nursing: Explore the role of nursing within forensic healthcare and investigation.

• Forensic Mental Health Nursing: Examine the relationship between mental healthcare and forensic settings.

• Assessment of Wounds and Injury: Understand introductory concepts relating to injury assessment in forensic contexts.

• Death Investigation: Explore the purpose and scope of death investigation.

• Forensic Toxicology: Examine the role of toxicology in forensic investigations.

 

Course Curriculum

Module 1: Introduction to Forensic Nursing

This module introduces the field of forensic nursing and establishes the foundation for understanding its relationship with healthcare and forensic practice.

Main learning topics:

• Forensic nursing
• Healthcare and forensic practice
• Foundations of forensic nursing
• Forensic healthcare

Module 2: Forensic Mental Health Nursing

This module focuses on forensic mental health nursing and its place within the wider field of forensic healthcare.

Main learning topics:

• Forensic mental health nursing
• Mental health
• Forensic healthcare
• Nursing practice

Module 3: Assessment of Wounds and Injury

This module examines the assessment of wounds and injuries as an important area within forensic nursing and healthcare contexts.

Main learning topics:

• Wounds
• Injury assessment
• Forensic nursing
• Healthcare examination

Module 4: Death Investigation

This module introduces death investigation as a key forensic subject area relevant to nursing and healthcare environments.

Main learning topics:

• Death investigation
• Forensic nursing
• Healthcare contexts
• Forensic practice

Module 5: Forensic Toxicology

This module introduces forensic toxicology and its relevance to forensic healthcare and investigative contexts.

Main learning topics:

• Forensic toxicology
• Toxicology
• Forensic healthcare
• Investigative contexts

Module 6: DNA Analysis in Forensics

This module explores DNA analysis in forensics and its importance within the broader study of forensic evidence.

Main learning topics:

• DNA analysis
• Forensic DNA
• Forensic evidence
• Forensic investigation

Module 7: Forensic Pathology

This module introduces forensic pathology as a major subject area within forensic medicine and forensic healthcare.

Main learning topics:

• Forensic pathology
• Forensic medicine
• Forensic healthcare
• Forensic investigation

Who Is This Course For?

This course is suitable for learners interested in forensic nursing, forensic healthcare, forensic medicine and related healthcare environments. It may be relevant to people exploring nursing-related career areas, forensic mental health settings or further study in forensic nursing.

It can also suit existing healthcare learners who want to broaden their understanding of forensic subjects such as injury assessment, death investigation, toxicology, DNA analysis and pathology. Career changers and beginners interested in forensic nursing studies may also find the curriculum useful as an introduction to the subject before pursuing appropriate professional education or regulated training.

Requirements

No formal entry requirements are provided in the supplied course information. Learners should therefore not assume that specific GCSEs, A levels, previous nursing qualifications, professional registration or work experience are required for enrolment. However, anyone intending to progress into regulated nursing or specialist forensic nursing practice should understand that additional professional education, registration, supervised practice and other requirements may apply.

Skills You Can Develop

Forensic Nursing Knowledge — Develop an understanding of the core principles and subject areas associated with forensic nursing.

Forensic Mental Health Understanding — Build knowledge of forensic mental health nursing and its connection with healthcare practice.

Wound and Injury Assessment Knowledge — Develop subject knowledge relating to the assessment of wounds and injuries in forensic contexts.

Death Investigation Knowledge — Understand the role of death investigation within the wider study of forensic healthcare.

Forensic Toxicology Knowledge — Build an introductory understanding of forensic toxicology and its relevance to forensic contexts.

DNA Analysis Awareness — Develop knowledge of DNA analysis in forensics and its relationship to forensic evidence.

Forensic Pathology Knowledge — Gain an understanding of forensic pathology as an important area of forensic medicine.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the fundamental subject area of forensic nursing.
2. Explain the relationship between nursing, healthcare and forensic practice.
3. Describe the role and subject area of forensic mental health nursing.
4. Identify key considerations associated with the assessment of wounds and injury.
5. Explain the importance of death investigation within forensic contexts.
6. Develop knowledge of forensic toxicology.
7. Describe the role of DNA analysis in forensics.
8. Explain the relevance of forensic pathology to forensic medicine and healthcare.
9. Recognise the major subject areas that contribute to forensic nursing studies.
10. Apply the knowledge gained from the course when exploring further education and relevant professional career areas.

Career Paths

Registered Nurse

Typical UK Salary: Approximately £32,073–£39,043 for NHS England Band 5, with higher bands available as experience and responsibilities progress. These are indicative 2026/27 NHS basic pay figures and vary by role, location and employer.

How the course is relevant: The course can provide additional subject knowledge in forensic nursing, injury assessment, forensic mental health, toxicology, DNA analysis and pathology. Becoming a registered nurse requires the appropriate approved nursing education and professional registration; this course does not replace that pathway.

Mental Health Nurse

Typical UK Salary: NHS England Band 5 currently ranges from approximately £32,073 to £39,043 in 2026/27, with Band 6 roles ranging from £39,959 to £48,117. Actual pay depends on the post, experience and employer.

How the course is relevant: The forensic mental health nursing module can provide useful introductory knowledge for learners interested in mental health nursing and forensic healthcare environments. Professional nursing education and NMC registration are additional requirements for registered nursing roles.

Forensic Mental Health Nurse

Typical UK Salary: NHS forensic and mental health nursing posts may use Agenda for Change bands; Band 5 is £32,073–£39,043 and Band 6 is £39,959–£48,117 in England for 2026/27.

How the course is relevant: The course directly covers forensic mental health nursing alongside injury assessment, death investigation, toxicology, DNA analysis and forensic pathology. It can support foundational subject knowledge, but specialist forensic nursing employment requires the appropriate professional nursing qualification, registration, experience and employer-specific requirements.

FAQs

What is a Forensic Nursing Training Course?

A forensic nursing training course introduces learners to the relationship between nursing, healthcare and forensic practice. This course covers forensic nursing, forensic mental health nursing, injury assessment, death investigation, forensic toxicology, DNA analysis and forensic pathology.

What does forensic nursing training cover?

This course covers seven core areas: Introduction to Forensic Nursing, Forensic Mental Health Nursing, Assessment of Wounds and Injury, Death Investigation, Forensic Toxicology, DNA Analysis in Forensics and Forensic Pathology.

Is this forensic nursing course suitable for beginners?

The supplied course information does not specify prior-entry requirements. The curriculum begins with an introduction to forensic nursing and then progresses through specific subject areas, making it suitable as a foundation for learners exploring forensic healthcare and forensic nursing studies.

What skills can I develop through forensic nursing studies?

Learners can develop knowledge of forensic nursing, forensic mental health nursing, wound and injury assessment, death investigation, forensic toxicology, DNA analysis and forensic pathology. These areas can provide useful foundational knowledge for further study or career exploration.

Can this course qualify me as a forensic nurse in the UK?

No. The supplied course information does not state that it provides professional nursing registration or qualifies learners to practise as registered nurses. Regulated nursing roles in the UK require the appropriate professional education, registration and other relevant requirements. This course can instead provide supplementary knowledge for learners interested in forensic nursing and related areas.