The Society and College of Radiographers is calling all students to come forward with views on the latest forensic radiography guidance.
Professional officer Christina Freeman is co-ordinating the survey. Here she explains:
The joint CoR/IAFR guidance, 'Guidance for Radiographers Providing Forensic Radiography Services (2008) is due to be updated.
The SoR has been asked by the International Association of Forensic Radiographers (IAFR) to release the following proposed statement relating to the updates; on which it is vital they hear your opinions before any substantial changes are indefinitely implemented.
The statement reads as follows:
The International Association of Forensic Radiographers (IAFR) maintains that forensic radiography in the UK is a post-registration specialist area that required additional education and training. The involvement of any personnel with Forensic Imaging should comply with the current forensic radiography guidelines. For these reasons, the IAFR recommend that student radiographers should not observe or participate in forensic radiography examinations.
IAFR recommend that student radiographers are given the opportunity to develop a theoretical awareness of forensic radiography practice during their final year of study to enable them to make an informed decision about their involvement in forensic radiography when commencing their professional career.
This recommendation was developed by the Policy and Research Subcommittee of IAFR, following concerns raised in both Universities and Clinical practice regarding the involvement of undergraduates with forensic examinations.
The rationale for our recommendation is as follows:
1. Forensic radiography is not a first-post competency.
2. IAFR maintains that forensic radiography is a post-registration specialist area of practice that requires additional education and training, which concurs with current SCoR forensic radiography guidelines.
3. Forensic radiography examinations are undertaken for media-legal purposes and it is, therefore, essential to accurately document the examination, which would include a record of the student having been present. Therefore, the student may be asked by a Coroner or court to act as a witness to the examination itself. Student radiographers who find themselves in this position would be vulnerable due to their lack of practice and professional experience. The effects of being involved in such an incident may adversely affect their studies.
4. There is no formal requirement for forensic radiography to be included within the curriculum for pre-registration programs. Forensic radiography is, therefore, not a requirement or competency within their clinical practice placements.
5. It is apparent that some student radiographers are currently observing forensic radiography examinations; it has subsequently been discovered that many students had been distressed as a result. Appropriate support is not always available or given and universities may not have been notified that the student has observed a forensic radiography examination; as a consequence; they have not been in a position to offer appropriate counselling to the student.
6. Student radiographers upon qualifying may then have the opportunity to be involved in forensic radiography practice. This should be undertaken following additional education and training as per SCoR forensic radiography guidelines and new staff should be appropriately mentored through the process. However, it is recommended that student radiographers are given the opportunity to develop a theoretical awareness of forensic radiography practice during their final year of study to enable them to make an informed decision about their involvement in forensic radiography when commencing their professional career.
Comments on the proposed statement should be sent to the SoR professional support officer, Christina Freeman, via email by Monday, 4 January 2010.
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