Frequently Asked Questions About Forensic Medical Exams

What is a SANE?
A SANE is a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. This is a registered nurse with special training to care for people who have experienced sexual assault. A SANE provides medical care, explains options, and—if the patient chooses, can collect evidence in a respectful and trauma-informed way.

What is an FNE?
An FNE is a Forensic Nurse Examiner. FNEs have similar training to SANEs, but their role can include caring for people who have experienced other types of violence, such as intimate partner violence, elder abuse, or child abuse—not just sexual assault.

What’s the difference?
SANEs and FNEs receive the same foundational training and follow the same standards of care. The difference is mostly in the name and the scope of care being provided. When nurses respond to sexual assault specifically, they may be called a SANE. When they provide forensic care for other forms of violence, they are often called FNE.