SDFI-Telemedicine Non-Fatal Strangulation Protocol

Since its inception in 2001, SDFI-Telemedicine has strived to not only bring the most secure all in one Shoot, Store, Send forensic camera system, but also provide free support and resources to the forensic industry. To that end SDFI in cooperation with educators, leading experts and forensic medical examiners, Diana K. Faugno, MSN, RN, CPN, SANE-A, SANE-P, DF-IAFN, FAAFS and Val Sievers MSN, RN, CNS, SANE-A, SANE-P, have developed Non-Fatal Strangulation protocols for both adult and pediatric examinations.

The Adult Non-Fatal Strangulation Protocol and the Pediatric Nonfatal Strangulation Protocol was produced by SDFI-Telemedicine and forensic nurse veterans and other experts, Diana Faugno - MSN, RN, CPN, SANE-A, SANE-P, FAAFS, DF-IAFN and Val Sievers MSN, RN, CNS, SANE-A, SANE-P. Diana, a recipient of the 2016 Virginia A. Lynch Pioneer in Forensic Nursing Award – the highest award given by the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN), Past president of The Academy of Forensic Nursing (AFN) says that before the Non-Fatal Strangulation Protocol first developed in 2017, “There was no official guideline to guide the examiner on the correct pictures to take. Many organizations would just take pictures or would have established a list of the type of pictures they would take – it would be their own procedure – nothing nationally.”

…Until now.

Faugno further explains, “This protocol was written, based on the typically visible findings in patients who had been strangled. I wanted there to be an organized how-to guide for everyone…many nurses have not had specific training on strangulation, and it is important they would have this (protocol) to guide them. The Strangulation Institute has this now and will instruct its students in it.”

Before publication, the Adult Non-Fatal Strangulation Protocol and the Pediatric version received a thorough review and thumb’s up by Bill Smock, MD, Police Surgeon – Louisville Metro Police Department, Medical Director – The Institute of Clinical Forensic Medicine and Nursing. SDFI®-TeleMedicine also reviewed the protocol, which features a model, rather than a patient in its photos. SDFI’s Ward Allen says, “SDFI-TeleMedicine supports the use of photodocumentation to help reduce sexual assault and domestic violence in all communities.” Also available for free download on SDFI’s website is the “SDFI Forensic Photodocumentation Protocol ", which can be obtained by going to the SDFI’s Downloads Page or BuySDFI.com.

The Adult Non-Fatal Strangulation Protocol can be found here: Click Here








The Pediatric Non-Fatal Strangulation Protocol can be found here: Click Here








For more information or questions feel free to call us at 1-310-492-5372 ext. 3 or email Sales@SDFI.com.