Catherine E Vulcano

Forensic Nurse: Evidence, Documentation, QI

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

Forensic Nurse Consultant and Expert Witness specializing in sexual assault medical forensic examinations (SAMFE/SANE practice), intimate partner violence/domestic violence, physical abuse injury assessment, and non-fatal strangulation. I provide litigation support for plaintiff and defense counsel, including case merit review, medical record review, medical chronology, standard-of-care analysis, and expert reports grounded in peer-reviewed literature and national forensic nursing standards. I am routinely engaged for expert testimony on forensic nursing scope of practice, evidence collection and preservation, chain of custody, injury interpretation and documentation, trauma-informed care, and the medical significance of strangulation-related findings, evolving injury patterns, and follow-up care needs. I have been qualified as an expert in non-fatal strangulation, physical abuse, and sexual assault, and I have supported multiple pretrial proceedings including 104 hearings. I have also faced a Daubert challenge that was not heard due to lack of a defensible basis, reflecting the reliability of my methods and foundation. My work includes program development, quality assurance/quality improvement (QI), and documentation audits for forensic and clinical teams, with an emphasis on defensible documentation, evidence integrity, and multidisciplinary coordination (SART/MDT). I am a content expert who develops and delivers training for clinicians and stakeholders on forensic examination procedures, consent and capacity considerations, best practices for injury assessment, and courtroom-ready documentation. I offer consultation on teleforensic/TeleSANE models to expand access and standardize quality, particularly for rural or resource-limited settings. Services: expert witness testimony; case consultation; records review and chronology; report writing; deposition and trial preparation; critique of opposing opinions; policy/protocol review; competency validation; training and curriculum development; QA audits; and systems-level improvement recommendations. Licensed Registered Nurse (RN) with advanced forensic nursing expertise. Certifications and specialized training include SANE practice and non-fatal strangulation assessment (as applicable). Available for rapid case screening, ongoing consulting, and testimony.