No pressure. No judgment. Care comes first. Forensic Examination & Response Network (FERN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing trauma-informed medical forensic care across Eastern Idaho and surrounding rural communities. Our specially trained nurses care for people who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violence, strangulation, abuse, and other violence. Our services include:
• Sexual Assault Nurse Examinations (SANE)
• Intimate partner violence and strangulation assessments
• Medical forensic examinations
• Injury assessment, photography, and documentation
• Forensic evidence collection
• Crisis response and safety planning
• Forensic nursing education and professional training
Our nurses travel to rural and underserved communities to help people access care closer to home. We collaborate with hospitals, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and advocacy partners while prioritizing each patient’s dignity, consent, and choices. We explain your options and support you in making informed decisions. You can ask for help even if you are unsure whether what happened was assault. FERN provides 24/7 on-call forensic nursing care. Need care? Call 208-541-4001. An advocate will connect you with FERN to arrange an exam. Our nurses provide exams at any hospital or at our Idaho Falls office. If you’re already at a hospital or police station, ask for FERN—staff can contact us to arrange your care. Please call before coming to our office, as a nurse is not always on-site.
