Secondary traumatic stress, burnout, compassion satisfaction, and perceived organizational trauma readiness in forensic science professionals

Levin, Andrew; Putney, Heidi; Crimmins, Danielle; McGrath, Jonathan G.

doi:10.1111/1556-4029.14747

Cited by 22 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Corroborating these points, Charlton et al (2010) found that many fingerprint examiners held a strong fear of making mistakes and/or a strong desire to reach definitive conclusions (i.e., need for closure). Most recently, Almazrouei et al (2020; found that many examiners reported high levels of workplace-related stress-and 39% felt that stress influenced their performance (see also Levin et al, 2021). To mitigate any negative effects of stress on performance, Jeanguenat and Dror (2018) proposed that forensic labs take concrete steps to promote healthy work-life balance, such as offering flexible schedules, healthy nutrition, exercise initiatives, and mindfulness trainingall of which have proven beneficial to employees in other domains.…”

Section: Organizational Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Factors in Forensic Science: Psychological Causes of Bias and Error

Kukucka¹,

Dror²

2022

Preprint

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Forensic science evidence has long been accepted in court and is widely considered infallible. However, the forensic sciences have recently come under intense scrutiny, as forensic science errors have been implicated in an alarming number of wrongful convictions. In working to better understand and prevent such errors, researchers have discovered that they are often an unfortunate byproduct of innate psychological processes. In this chapter, we first review evidence that forensic science examiners, like all humans, are vulnerable to unconscious biases that can lead to erroneous judgments. Second, we identify barriers to mitigating the pernicious effects of bias in forensic laboratories and courtrooms, including widespread misconceptions about its causes and effects. Third, we discuss proposed reforms to strengthen forensic science, and we describe some progress that has already been made in that regard.

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Section: Organizational Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Factors in Forensic Science: Psychological Causes of Bias and Error

Kukucka¹,

Dror²

2022

Preprint

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“…In a 2021 study of U.S. crime laboratories and medical examiner offices, Levin et al found that in‐person interactions, such as scene investigation and direct encounters with victims, increased the likelihood of secondary traumatic stress or vicarious traumatization [18]. In the context of SUID, law enforcement bear the weight of additional stressors not encountered by forensic professionals represented in this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…In addition to challenges created by lack of preparation, participants revealed that the overwhelming emotions encountered at infant death scenes further impacted their ability to contribute ef- tional challenges [18]. A United Kingdom study of law enforcement warned that investigative experience may not protect against cognitive and emotional effects of homicide investigation and that such stressors may result in flawed decision-making [19].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research has begun to examine the “extremely taxing and emotionally draining” effects of death investigation on the ME/Cs and first responders who interact with human remains and grieving family members (16, p.1). Carpenter et al studied Australasian police and concluded that death investigations are “almost always challenging, emotional, and disruptive” to law enforcement (17, p.711), and cases involving child victims are known to present additional emotional challenges [18]. A United Kingdom study of law enforcement warned that investigative experience may not protect against cognitive and emotional effects of homicide investigation and that such stressors may result in flawed decision‐making [19].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Barriers to consistent and reliable investigation of sudden unexpected infant death: Perspectives from law enforcement

Snippen

Cheyney

Drake

2022

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Despite persistent efforts to advance infant death investigation, most sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUIDs) remain unexplained. Law enforcement officials contribute to SUID investigations throughout the United States, but their impacts on these investigations have not been adequately examined. In this exploratory study, 26 law enforcement officials were interviewed about their experiences and perspectives with SUID investigations. Thematic analysis of qualitative data revealed three specific difficulties law enforcement encounter during SUID investigations: (1) inadequate preparation; (2) overwhelming emotions; and (3) a victim-suspect dilemma.Findings indicate that these barriers may inhibit consistent and reliable investigation of infant death and, therefore, may impede the cause and manner of death determinations. Participants' narratives also offered insights into potential solutions, including expanded SUID training for law enforcement and use of checklists, such as the Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Investigation Reporting Form. The impacts of overwhelming emotions confronted during SUID investigation warrant further study. The victim-suspect dilemma stems from the inability of law enforcement to conclusively eliminate the possibility of homicide. This dilemma may be resolved through a clear distinction between interactions with potential evidence and interactions with the family. Law enforcement must be trained to treat all SUID families in a compassionate and non-accusatory manner, while investigating all SUID with careful attention to detail that is essential in any potential homicide investigation. A consistent, meticulous, and compassionate approach to SUID investigations will improve the reliability of information obtained and offer the best opportunity for providing answers to grieving parents.

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“…One study of medicolegal death investigators and forensic pathologists [29] and one study of medicolegal death investigators with other laboratory forensic scientists [30] examined mental health wellness. Miner, Markowitz, Peterson, and Weston's approach was unique in that the researchers used language processing tools to identify trends in how medicolegal death investigators and forensic pathologists documented sudden unexpected deaths [29].…”

Section: Mental Health/emotional Stressmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medicolegal death investigator workplace safety hazards: A scoping review of the literature

Drake

Thoene

Porta

et al. 2021

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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In the United States, medicolegal death investigation practices and policies pertaining to sudden unexpected deaths are mandated by state government. Practices vary across states, which contributes to inconsistency in job prerequisites and training.In preparation for a study focused on occupational safety and health of medicolegal death investigators in their on-scene and follow-up activities, a scoping review was conducted to document known occupational safety risks and health-related conditions associated with death investigation. Searches used Boolean and subject heading operators both broad and narrow in scope, and search terms included scene responder, hazard, investigator, forensic pathology, injury, and safety. Twenty-five articles met inclusion criteria, which included seventeen survey-mixed method designs, two systematic reviews, five quasi-experimental designs, and one case study.Twelve articles addressed mental health and eleven focused on risks associated with infectious disease. One article addressed the risk of chemical exposure from cyanide among autopsy personnel (including forensic pathologists) and nine included a wide range of employees within the setting of medical examiner or coroner offices.One article, addressing burnout, included employees in a forensic science laboratory setting as well as medicolegal death investigators and two articles included forensic pathologists and medicolegal death investigators. Only one article addressed medicolegal death investigators specifically. Articles addressing occupational and environmental hazards of medicolegal death investigators associated with musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, radiological, nuclear, electrical, or explosive threats were not identified. There is little published about safety risks inherent in conducting death investigations. Research is needed to adequately inform health promotion and injury prevention strategies.

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Secondary traumatic stress, burnout, compassion satisfaction, and perceived organizational trauma readiness in forensic science professionals

Cited by 22 publications

References 41 publications

Human Factors in Forensic Science: Psychological Causes of Bias and Error

Human Factors in Forensic Science: Psychological Causes of Bias and Error

Barriers to consistent and reliable investigation of sudden unexpected infant death: Perspectives from law enforcement

Medicolegal death investigator workplace safety hazards: A scoping review of the literature

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