College of Radiographers and AFR joint study day.
October 12, 2008
This popular event was attended this year by 83 delegates from as far a field as Devon and Exeter, Belfast and Edinburgh. The day was opened at 9:30 by the chair of the morning session, Lindsay Batty-Smith from Kings College Hospital in London and began in earnest with an enlightening question and answer session by Emily Faircloth, NICE Assurance Manager and Vice Chair of the AFR, and Helen Foster, Lead Paediatric Radiographer from the Royal Surrey, on the new forensic guidelines and their impact on Radiographers in current practice. Following this, Helen Foster and John Beamer, Head of Radiology Services at Basingstoke and North Hampshire discussed the Council of the Registration of Forensic Practitioners, what this means to us as forensic radiographers, how it may affect our future practice and what is involved in the application process.
A police viewpoint was given by two lecturers, starting with Niamh Smith, a Crime Scene Manager from the Metropolitan Police who gave a fabulous insight into the role of a CSM in forensic investigation. Niamh also used a true case study as an example and proved how you can never assume anything at a crime scene and how everything must be taken into account when formulating a professional opinion. Peter Beveridge from the University of Teesside then discussed the implications of digital evidence from a police viewpoint and how it impacts on the way we work. Follwing the morning coffee break, Phil Allen from the Leeds Teaching Hospitals gave an interesting insight into how PACS and digital imaging can cause multiple implications for radiographers undertaking forensic work, and how the importance of saving unaltered data may mean a change in working practice is inevitable.
Our second speaker from the Metropolitan Police was Detective Sergeant Simon Homer from Operation Trident who opened with some shocking footage showing what he’s involved with in his day to day work and how victims may end up in the care of forensic radiographers. Detective Homer then went on to illustrate what is involved in writing a police statement and what information a radiographer may need to document when undertaking any kind of forensic work. Dr Amaka Offiah from Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital gave an absorbing insight into her role as an expert witness and the importance of accurately recording details and how information may be misconstrued in court.
Following lunch and the AFR Annual General Meeting, the afternoon session was openned by Catherine Rock, Clinical Education Specialist for GE healthcare and UKFRRT Co-ordinator who introduced Emily Faircloth, AFR Vice Chair, to inform delegates about the Child Death Review Process and how this may impact on all departments undertaking forensic radiography in cases involving the death of infants. Emily highlighted the importance of the multidisciplinary team in these types of investigations. Following this, 2 case studies were presented to show how lessons can be learned from not having adequate forensic radiography protocols in place. These case studies, entitled ‘The body in the woods’ and ‘The body in a suitcase’ were discussed by Louise Grimmond, Superintendent Radiographer from Basingstoke and North Hampshire and Susie Dick, Radiographer Team Leader from York Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. They gave an remarkable insight into how a protocol can save a lot of hassle and how radiography can help towards establishing identity and cause of death.
The day came to close with a truly entertaining court scenario by Wayne Hoban Radiology Manager from Goring Hall Hospital and Claire Miskin, Barrister and Curcuit Judge demonstrating how a Radiographer may fall into many traps in court by not been able to demonstrate full competency and by not adhering to current policy and protocol. This excellent presentation opened many delegates’ eyes and made everyone realise that although the situation was a truly fascinating and amusing end to the day, it is extremely important to know what might be required of you and how documenting everything you do in your day to day work can only assist you in similar situations.
Many delegates remarked that they felt the day was a resounding success and all involved look forward to similarly well attended conferences in the future.
Report by: Susie Dick Radiographer Advanced – Team Manager York Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
