AFN SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIG)
All SIG positions are volunteer positions filled by AFN members in good standing. These positions require a time commitment of four to six hours per month.
Guests are welcome at all SIG meetings! AFN members can view a listing of every SIG and Committee meeting on our Event Calendar (be sure to log in first). Listings include a Google Meet link to join the meeting.
If you have additional questions about a SIG, you may click on the "Contact Chair" button under the corresponding SIG listed below.

Death Investigation
Chair:
Co-Chair:
Annette Cannon
Amy Riegert
Meeting Frequency / Time
Once Monthly: 4th Wednesday @ 2 p.m. ET
The Death Investigation SIG supports forensic nurse examiners in the application of their knowledge, training, experience, and expertise to investigate causes and manners of death. This SIG is dedicated to the application of evidence-based principles of medico-legal death investigation.

Elder Abuse
Chair:
Co-Chair:
Debbie St. Germain
Amber Smith
Meeting Frequency / Time
Once Monthly: 4th Friday @ 1 p.m. ET
The Elder Abuse SIG is dedicated to bringing awareness to the incidence of maltreatment and neglect of elderly adults. This SIG is focused on providing education and tools to other healthcare professionals and those involved in the investigation of elder abuse to aide in its prevention, identification, documentation, and treatment.

Harm Reduction
Chair:
Co-Chair:
Natalie Evenson
Rachel Lapp
Meeting Frequency / Time
Once Monthly: 2nd Monday @ 6 p.m. ET
The Harm Reduction SIG focuses on promotion and implementation of harm-reduction strategies in communities and populations that have been affected by violence directly or indirectly. These strategies can include increased education, awareness, and available resources.

Human Trafficking
Chair:
Co-Chair:
Rosario Sanchez
Lauren Mays
Meeting Frequency / Time
Once Monthly: 3rd Tuesday @ 7 p.m. ET
Human trafficking is the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labor, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker and/or others. The Human Trafficking SIG is dedicated to ensuring the prompt identification, evidence-based treatment, and proper healing of victims of human trafficking. Providing nurses and others who may encounter these victims with the tools necessary to timely identify and properly treat them.

Mentorship
Chair:
Co-Chair:
Natalie Evenson
Deb Holbrook
Meeting Frequency / Time
First Meeting May 7 @ 12 p.m. ET - Regular meeting time TBD
The Mentoring SIG is a place to find professional mentorship, support, and guidance as you progress in your career as a forensic nurse. Whether you are new to the field of forensic nursing or are an experienced forensic nurse looking for mentorship for presenting, writing, or new to a leadership role, this is a place for you!

Pediatric
Chair:
Co-Chair:
Tracey Wagner
Cheryl Wier
Meeting Frequency / Time
Once Monthly: 4th Wednesday @ 2 p.m. ET
The Pediatric SIG promotes the provision of evidence-based care to pediatric victims of maltreatment. This SIG is focused on providing education and tools to other healthcare professionals and those involved in the investigation of child maltreatment to aide in its prevention, identification, documentation, and treatment.

Rural
Chair:
Co-Chair:
Teresa Devitt-Lynch
Olivia Flaherty
Meeting Frequency / Time
Once Monthly: 4th Wednesday @ 5 p.m. ET
The Rural SIG will look at the special needs, lack of services, and misperceptions in small towns and rural areas when it comes to serving people affected by sexual assault, violence, and trauma.

Violence & Behavior
Chair:
Co-Chair:
Anne Troy
Meeting Frequency / Time
Once Monthly: 3rd Wednesday @ 7 p.m. ET
The Violence & Behavior SIG focuses on violence – specifically its definitions, manifestations, situations, operations, and legal definitions. The SIG looks at both offender behavior and victim behavioral responses; the brain and behavior as they correlate to the neurobiology of trauma; and the consistent incorporation of ACEs and PACEs in all forensic assessment and treatment.