“Burnout is what happens when you try to avoid being human for too long.” – Michael Gungor, The Crowd, The Critic And The Muse: A Book for Creators
We’ve all heard the phrase “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” But for forensic supervisors, it’s more than just a reminder—it’s a warning.
As forensic supervisors, we often operate under intense pressure. Deadlines. Case reviews. Staffing issues. Budget constraints. Add to that the emotional labor of supporting your team—and it’s no wonder burnout in forensic science is such a persistent, unspoken issue.
In this post, we’re unpacking the powerful conversation from our recent podcast episode with Alice White, founder of Evolve Forensics. From emotional burnout to identity loss, we’re exploring how forensic leaders can break the silence, take action, and build long-term sustainability in their forensic career.
Watch the episode below, then keep scrolling as we expand on the conversation even further and provide real, actionable strategies for leaders navigating the daily stress of forensic life.
APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY | CASTBOX
Why Burnout in Forensic Science Is So Common
Let’s be honest. Forensic professionals don’t typically enter this career looking for an easy path. This field demands precision, consistency, and high-stakes accountability. And for supervisors? Multiply that by ten.
Here’s why burnout creeps in:
- High caseloads with low staffing
- Pressure to perform without room for error
- Emotional fatigue from managing team dynamics
- Personal investment in your team’s success
One of the most eye-opening moments in the podcast was when Alice White shared her early experience as a supervisor. She took on the responsibility for her team’s success so personally, she began to lose sight of her own worth.
“My employees’ success became my success, and my employees’ failures became my failures. When one of my employees wasn’t performing well, it would destroy me.”
If that resonates with you, you’re not alone.
The Hidden Weight of People-Pleasing and Overfunctioning
Especially for female leaders in law enforcement, there’s often an unspoken expectation to “do it all.” Instead of asking for systems to change, we adjust ourselves to fit the dysfunction.
We:
- Medicate to tolerate the pressure
- Stay late so others don’t have to
- Overextend ourselves to meet everyone’s needs
Alice put it perfectly: “I know many female supervisors and managers who take medication just to absorb more stress. It’s interesting how, instead of acknowledging our limits and doing less, we’ll continue sacrificing our bodies and take meds that will allow us to do more.”
That’s a wake-up call. Because once we normalize stress in forensic science as just part of the job, we stop asking important questions like:
- Should I be tolerating this much stress?
- Is this workload sustainable long term?
- Am I setting the right example for my team?
Burnout Isn’t Just About Workload—It’s About Boundaries
If you’re constantly drained, even by work you used to love, it might not be the job itself. It could be the blurred lines between your responsibilities and everyone else’s.
How to Set Healthier Boundaries as a Forensic Supervisor:
- Reframe Your Role: You’re there to lead—not to rescue. When you’ve built a strong training program and established solid policies and procedures, it’s okay to let people rise—or fall—on their own merit.
- Delegate with Trust: If you’ve hired well and trained thoroughly, your team is capable. Let them own their results.
- Create Space Between You and the Outcome: Your employee’s mistakes are not your identity.
- Say No Without Guilt: Declining unnecessary meetings, unrealistic expectations, or last-minute requests is not selfish—it’s sustainable.
Remember: your job is to guide, not to carry everyone on your shoulders.
The Fear of Retirement for Forensic Professionals
One of the most vulnerable parts of the podcast was the discussion around retirement.
So many of us fear this moment. You might be thinking, “I’m not ready. I don’t know who I’ll be without this job. What happens to the agency if I walk away?”
Here’s the truth that Alice White revealed:
- You might already be ready.
- The stress you’re tolerating now could be unnecessary.
- Life after forensics might be brighter than you think.
She shared stories of professionals who stayed five, ten, even fifteen years longer than necessary—only to realize that their health, their joy, and even their sleep improved dramatically after leaving.
Erin also explained how one retired sheriff described retirement like The Wizard of Oz, where his whole career was a black-and-white world and then when he retired it was like finally stepping into color.
And here’s something we hear all the time: “My agency won’t survive without me.”
Let’s be honest.
Your agency is a machine. It can and will survive without you. Once you leave, they’ll plop someone else into your role and keep chugging along like you never existed. It’s not personal—it’s operational.
So don’t let that fear stop you from living your life. You’ve given so much to this field. You deserve a season where you put yourself first.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
- Am I staying out of habit or fear?
- Is my health declining because of the job?
- What would life look like without constant stress?
No one can make the decision for you—but don’t let fear be the reason you stay.
Reclaiming Your Identity Outside the Lab
Many forensic professionals tie their worth to their career. That makes sense—this job requires your intellect, your focus, your time. But the longer we equate our identity with our output, the more burnout takes hold.
Here’s how to start shifting that mindset:
- Revisit hobbies or interests you’ve put on hold.
- Connect with others outside your forensic circle.
- Book that trip you’ve been putting off.
- Say out loud: I am more than my job.
That last one might feel silly. But say it anyway. Say it until you believe it.
Stress in Forensic Science Doesn’t Have to Be Your Normal
When you’re in survival mode, it’s hard to imagine any other way to live. But what Alice White—and hundreds of forensic professionals—have discovered is this:
You don’t have to wait until you’re broken to choose something different.
Whether you:
- Set better boundaries,
- Delegate with intention,
- Retire earlier than planned,
- Or simply talk about the burnout you’re experiencing…
…that step forward matters.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone in This
Burnout in forensic science isn’t rare. It’s real. But that doesn’t mean it has to be the end of the road.
You can reset your expectations. You can protect your peace. You can retire and still feel relevant.
We created the Forensics Unfiltered podcast—and programs like the Forensic Supervisor Success Summit—to have these hard conversations and offer solutions that actually work.
Here’s what you can do next:
If today’s discussion resonated with you, you’ll love the Forensic Supervisor Success Summit replays! Learn from 31 expert presentations—all designed to help forensic professionals like you get the resources, tools and methods you need to thrive.
Get instant access to:
✅ All 31 action-packed presentation replays
✅ Downloadable worksheets for every session
✅ A certificate of attendance to showcase your professional development
Get instant access here: Grab the replays now!
And most of all? Give yourself permission to stop surviving and start thriving.
➡️ Want to hear more from Alice? Check out our post: Forensic Job Interviews: Essential Tools for Recruiting Top-Tier Trainees. In that episode, Alice shares a completely different (but equally powerful) perspective on hiring and retaining the right people in your forensic unit.
