Research Article

Knowledge and Attitude Scale Toward Forensic Cases: A Scale Development Study

Volume: 40 Number: 1 April 30, 2026
TR EN

Knowledge and Attitude Scale Toward Forensic Cases: A Scale Development Study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to develop the Knowledge and Attitude Scale Toward Forensic Cases (KAST-FC), a new measurement tool with established validity and reliability, designed to assess healthcare professionals’ knowledge and attitudes toward forensic cases.

Method: This methodological study included healthcare professionals working in healthcare institutions across Türkiye. The sample consisted of 351 healthcare professionals who voluntarily participated and met the validity criteria. During data collection, the Knowledge and Attitude Scale Toward Forensic Cases (KAST-FC), developed by the researchers, was used as the primary measurement tool. To evaluate criterion-related validity, the Nurse Attitude Scale Toward Forensic Psychiatry Patients (NASTFPP), developed by Arabacı and Çam (2011), was additionally administered. The psychometric properties of the KAST-FC were examined through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, item-total correlations, and content validity methods.

Results: The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett’s tests indicated that the sample was suitable for factor analysis. EFA revealed that the scale appears to have a multidimensional structure, which was confirmed by CFA. The KAST-FC demonstrated a high level of internal consistency, suggesting good reliability according to Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Item-total correlation values supported the homogeneity of the scale.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that the KAST-FC is a valid and reliable measurement tool for evaluating healthcare professionals’ knowledge and attitudes toward forensic cases. The scale may contribute to identifying the educational needs of healthcare professionals, developing appropriate training programs, and supporting standardization in forensic case management.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The authors declare that this research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Ethical Statement

The study was conducted following approval from an appropriate ethics committee. The purpose of the study was explained to all participants, participation was voluntary, and verbal informed consent was obtained prior to data collection.

Thanks

The authors have no acknowledgements to declare.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Forensic Medicine

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

December 3, 2025

Acceptance Date

April 24, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 40 Number: 1

APA
Öztuna, Ş., Gürhan, N., Geniş, B., & Gareayaghi, A. (2026). Knowledge and Attitude Scale Toward Forensic Cases: A Scale Development Study. Adli Tıp Dergisi, 40(1), 51-63. https://doi.org/10.61970/adlitip.1835220
AMA
1.Öztuna Ş, Gürhan N, Geniş B, Gareayaghi A. Knowledge and Attitude Scale Toward Forensic Cases: A Scale Development Study. J For Med. 2026;40(1):51-63. doi:10.61970/adlitip.1835220
Chicago
Öztuna, Şeyda, Nermin Gürhan, Bahadır Geniş, and Aila Gareayaghi. 2026. “Knowledge and Attitude Scale Toward Forensic Cases: A Scale Development Study”. Adli Tıp Dergisi 40 (1): 51-63. https://doi.org/10.61970/adlitip.1835220.
EndNote
Öztuna Ş, Gürhan N, Geniş B, Gareayaghi A (April 1, 2026) Knowledge and Attitude Scale Toward Forensic Cases: A Scale Development Study. Adli Tıp Dergisi 40 1 51–63.
IEEE
[1]Ş. Öztuna, N. Gürhan, B. Geniş, and A. Gareayaghi, “Knowledge and Attitude Scale Toward Forensic Cases: A Scale Development Study”, J For Med, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 51–63, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.61970/adlitip.1835220.
ISNAD
Öztuna, Şeyda - Gürhan, Nermin - Geniş, Bahadır - Gareayaghi, Aila. “Knowledge and Attitude Scale Toward Forensic Cases: A Scale Development Study”. Adli Tıp Dergisi 40/1 (April 1, 2026): 51-63. https://doi.org/10.61970/adlitip.1835220.
JAMA
1.Öztuna Ş, Gürhan N, Geniş B, Gareayaghi A. Knowledge and Attitude Scale Toward Forensic Cases: A Scale Development Study. J For Med. 2026;40:51–63.
MLA
Öztuna, Şeyda, et al. “Knowledge and Attitude Scale Toward Forensic Cases: A Scale Development Study”. Adli Tıp Dergisi, vol. 40, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 51-63, doi:10.61970/adlitip.1835220.
Vancouver
1.Şeyda Öztuna, Nermin Gürhan, Bahadır Geniş, Aila Gareayaghi. Knowledge and Attitude Scale Toward Forensic Cases: A Scale Development Study. J For Med. 2026 Apr. 1;40(1):51-63. doi:10.61970/adlitip.1835220
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