Forensic nurse specialists. Working with perpetrators and hostage negotiation teams

1. A felony defendant's behavior and thinking prior to and during the commission of the crime are the primary focus of the relationship between the client and the psychiatric forensic nurse. 2. Psychiatric forensic nurses provide competency therapy, and train the defendants in courtroom behavior and how to assist their attorney. Therapy includes mock court-room activities, review of the contents of the police reports, and discussion of plea options. 3. Because the dimensions of practice identified overlap into criminal justice and law enforcement, psychiatric forensic nurses are a valuable resource to hostage negotiation teams.