Date
April 2025
Overview
In 2024, the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE), in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Comprehensive Opioid and Stimulant Use Program (COSSUP), convened a virtual roundtable of practicing crime scene investigators (CSIs). Panelists provided insight into work-related stress and wellbeing for forensic professionals in the context of an evolving public health and safety landscape.
For this virtual roundtable, FTCOE gathered a group of seven practicing CSIs with varying levels of experience in scene investigation (one panelist reported 15–20 years of experience in the field, two reported 5–10 years, two reported 2–4 years, and two panelists did not report years of experience). Panelists participated in a guided discussion about their experiences with work-related stress, coping mechanisms, and wellness resources specific to crime scene investigation. This in-brief summarizes insights from the roundtable regarding gaps in resources and research that can guide further efforts to support workplace wellbeing for CSIs.
"After 25 years, it means a lot to say that I still enjoy coming into work."
- Experienced Crime Scene Investigator
Related Resources
- Forensic Professional Wellbeing Toolkit
- Safeguarding Forensic Science Professionals
- Forensic Workforce Resiliency: Vicarious Trauma & Workplace Stress Webinar Series
- Just Workplace Stress and Its Impact on Decision-Making in Forensics
- Just Forensic Technician Vicarious Trauma
- Just Being Vocal about Vicarious Trauma
- Resilient Leadership Podcast Season
- Workplace Resiliency Podcast Season
Funding for this Forensic Technology Center of Excellence report has been provided by the National Institute of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Assistance's COSSUP, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Contact us at ForensicCOE@rti.org with any questions and subscribe to our newsletter for notifications.
