5 Greatest Forensic Nursing Movies
Forensic nursing is a somewhat new field which is growing in popularity — and rightly so, since it’s so versatile and interesting. Forensic nurses must be well versed in evidence collection, criminal procedures, legal testimony expertise, and more. This means that in addition to forensic testing and investigation, they must be prepared to visit a crime scene to collect evidence as well as be able to testify in court using expert opinions and proper legal jargon. In the movies, the definition of forensic nursing has been somewhat stretched, if only because of the fact that a protagonist needs to wear multiple hats in order to stay interesting and in the frontlines of the film. No one would care about Clint Eastwood as much if he had to refer to multiple pathologists and forensic nurses to help him solve crime; he must be the hero, the entire hero, and nothing but the hero. Here are five great movies featuring forensic nursing.
1. The Bone Collector
In The Bone Collector, Denzel Washington plays a hardened detective adept at solving heinous murders, but his physical disability makes it hard for him to move around too quickly: he’s completely paralyzed, except for a single finger. Lucky for him, his forensic nurse (played by Angelina Jolie) is there to collect evidence and deal with the crime scenes in his place. In one nerve-wracking scene, Washington guides Jolie through a dank basement via microphone, listening in as she searches for clues among the grisly crime scene. Together, the pair race against time to stop a murderer before he strikes again, and again, and again. In a way, the killer saves Washington’s life; prior to finding out about the murders, Washington was planning his assisted suicide. In a twisted way, searching for this killer is some type of refuge for forensic nurse Jolie, who was previously obsessed with her father’s suicide and not doing very well in the mental health department.
2. Pathology
Pathology puts a demented twist on forensic nursing, or at least those who wish to pursue it. Although the acting isn’t deserving of a Grammy (or any award, for that matter) the concept of this film is a disturbing yet interesting one. When Dr. Ted Grey is accepted to one of the most renowned pathology programs in the nation, he is elated to begin his career in forensic nursing. Grey is so good at what he does, even the other interns in the highly prestigious program take note of him, inviting him into their circle. What seems like a friendly invitation at first quickly degenerates into a dangerous, murderous downward spiral. To his horror, Grey discovers that the interns have formed somewhat of a murder cult. Their goal is simple: solve murders. It sounds innocent enough, but the murders are actually committed by one of the doctors within the circle of forensic nurses and pathologists. Once one of the doctors chooses a victim and completes his crime, the others must play Clue with the body to find out how and by whom the person was killed. Overall, a fun movie easily enjoyed over a six-pack during a rainy night with friends.
3. Bloodwork
Not a forensic nurse by trade but somewhat adopting the role of one in Blood Work, Clint Eastwood plays a retired FBI profiler who comes back on the job to find the murderer who claimed the life of a woman strangely close to Eastwood. The victim was responsible for saving his life, having given him her heart for his transplant after she died. Using his expertise, Eastwood realizes that the murder is more than the robbery it was staged to appear as. The killer turns out to be a repeat offender, and one that alluded Eastwood for years during his time in the FBI. Although Eastwoods skills as a sudden forensic nurse/FBI profiler are honed to a sharp point, and the surprise ending may shock and dismay you, there is a ton of disbelief which must be suspended in order to enjoy this movie. Eastwood’s heart transplant seems too successful, seeing as how he’s speeding through traffic and laying the beatdown on criminals throughout the film.
4. Death of an Expert Witness
A late 70s throwback, Death of an Expert Witness was a television mini-series inspired by books of the same name. Dr. Edward Lorimer, a forensic scientist, is found murdered. A single detective is dispatched to solve the crime, and a slew of suspects with just as many motives for murder don’t make his job as a spotlighting forensic nurse any easier. It could be as simple as jealously gone awry, or it could be the unhappy forensic pathologist working beneath Lorimer. It could even be a police officer, or the head of the pathology lab himself. A confusing web of motives and alibis are weaved and untangled, but real progress is made when a suspect is also murdered, shining light on a previously unknown piece of information key to solving the crimes.
5. Murder by Numbers
Murder by Numbers is a remarkable film, if only due to the delectable combination of cast members. Sandra Bullock, Michael Pitt, and Ryan Gosling make this somewhat mediocre film much more entertaining simply for the fact that they’re fun to watch. When two boys decide to commit the perfect murder, almost identical to the case of Leopold and Loeb, they embark on a harrowing journey of mind games and consequence-allusion with FBI detective Sandra Bullock. Gosling and Pitt, bored and arrogant, decide to murder a young woman ‘just because’. After dumping her body, the search to find clues pointing to their guilt is on like Donkey Kong. Bullock plays the role of FBI investigator and adds some forensic nursing into the mix. She risks her job with her enthusiasm to solve the crime ASAP, and focuses on small amounts of forensic evidence to try and pin down the suspects. There’s also an interesting spin on forensic psychology when profiling is put to the test — that is to say, all but completely thrown out the window. Bullock’s partner has to ignore the typical profiling of criminals in order to find the two atypical murderers.
Posted on August 17, 2011 | Filed Under Movies
2 Responses to 5 Greatest Forensic Nursing Movies
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Angelina Jolie was a beat cop in Bone Collector, not a forensic nurse. Denzel’s nurse is played by Queen Latifah, who never visits a crime scene, but does help save Denzel’s life. BTW this book is the first in an excellent series by Jeffery Deaver featuring Lincoln Rhyme, the character played by Denzel.
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