Forensic medicine teams across Texas

The Forensic Medicine department at Baylor Scott & White Health includes the Sexual Assault and Violence Response Team and the Child Abuse Support Center. Together, they provide compassionate, sensitive, timely care for victims of violent crimes, child abuse and neglect.

Unique to Central Texas, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple and Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center – Temple staff serve individuals in an eight-county area, including Bell, McLennan, Falls, Milam, Coryell, Lampasas, Burnet and Williamson. A forensic medicine team at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – College Station serves the Brazos Valley.

Our forensic medicine teams are available at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple and Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Forensic nurse

The forensic nurse is available 24 hours a day for consultation. The nurse works closely with:

  • Emergency department staff
  • Law enforcement agencies
  • Department of Family and Protective Services (CPS/APS)
  • Local advocacy agencies
  • Pediatrician with experience in the evaluation of child physical abuse and neglect
  • Pediatric and adolescent gynecologist with experience in the evaluation of sexual abuse
  • Adult and pediatric radiology staff
  • Pediatric surgeons
  • Trauma specialists
  • Orthopedics
  • Ophthalmologist
  • Social work team
  • Child life specialists
  • Psychiatry department
  • Criminal justice system

Both teams work together with advocates, law enforcement, legal professionals and the district attorney’s office to aid the investigation. 

Forensic services provided

We offer forensic pathology services that include the following.

Community outreach and education

Our Forensic Medicine department is dedicated to preventing future traumas. We are working in the community to educate schools and other civic groups about prevention of abuse, neglect, violence and assault. We offer continuing education for health professionals, law enforcement, social workers and members of the criminal justice system.

Report abuse

If you’ve been a victim of assault, time is of the essence. Evidence can be collected up to 120 hours after an assault. 

Take the following steps as quickly as possible:

  • Call the police department or 911* and go to the nearest emergency department: Adults should go to Baylor Scott & White – Temple. Children ages 17 and younger should go to Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's.
  • Do not bathe, shower, swim, brush teeth or change clothes. The clothing worn during an assault may provide valuable forensic evidence: Go to your nearest emergency room and request to be seen by a SANE. Bring a change of clothes to the hospital, if possible. If you already changed clothes, bring the original clothes in a paper bag.

*Reporting to the police is always best but you can have a medical forensic exam without reporting to police if you are 18 years of age or older.