Öztuna Ş., Gürhan N., Geniş B., Gareayaghi A.
Adli Tıp Dergisi, cilt.40, sa.1, ss.51-63, 2026 (TRDizin)
Özet
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.