Forensic science isn’t your average 9-to-5. It’s a career that puts you right in the thick of high-stakes investigations, gruesome crime scenes, and pressure-cooker deadlines. It’s no wonder forensic professionals often feel like they’re running on empty. And yet, despite the emotional toll, mental health in forensics is still a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough airtime.
But let’s be real—burnout, anxiety, and PTSD aren’t just “part of the job.” If we want to keep forensic professionals at their best (and frankly, sane), we need to talk about mental health as openly as we discuss new forensic techniques. So let’s dive in.
If you haven’t read Part 1 of our blog series, “Trauma Recovery for Forensic Professionals: Strategies for Mental Health and Resilience,” go check it out! We covered key strategies for navigating the mental and emotional toll of forensic work, including how supervisors can foster resilience in their teams. Spoiler alert: A big part of being a great leader is making sure your team stays mentally healthy—and that’s exactly what we’re tackling today.
⚠️ Trigger Warning: Discussion of Officer Suicide
This post contains discussions about police officer suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek support from a mental health professional or a trusted resource. You can call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7.
Watch the podcast episode to hear Matt Davis’s experience with mental health in forensics, then dive into this blog post for an in-depth breakdown of actionable strategies to protect your mental and physical well-being.
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The Emotional Toll of Forensic Work: Recognizing the Signs of Trauma
Let’s be honest—this job messes with your head. One day you’re knee-deep in paperwork, the next you’re knee-deep in decomp. Over time, the emotional weight of this work builds up. It doesn’t always hit right away, but when it does, it can be brutal. Many professionals find themselves struggling to cope, even years after the initial exposure.
The signs of trauma may not always be obvious, but they’re there. Here are some common warning signs forensic professionals experience:
- Increased irritability, frustration, or snapping at coworkers or family over small things
- Chronic fatigue, feeling drained or overwhelmed or exhausted even after a full night’s sleep
- Difficulty sleeping or nightmares related to their work
- Anxiety or panic attacks during or after intense cases
- Withdrawing from family, friends, or even your team
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. These signs are often downplayed or overlooked. Many forensic professionals push through these feelings because, well, that’s what we do. But if not addressed, ignoring these signs can lead to burnout, emotional numbness, or even mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
As forensic professionals, acknowledging the emotional toll is the first step toward healing. Matt Davis, a forensic supervisor interviewed in this podcast episode, put it perfectly: “You can’t outrun the career. Eventually, it catches up with you.” If we want to stay in this field long-term, we need to take care of ourselves.
The Reality of Law Enforcement Deaths by Suicide: That Stats We Can’t Ignore
The mental health crisis in law enforcement is real, and the numbers are staggering:
- 2018: 187 officer deaths by suicide
- 2019: 234 officer deaths by suicide
- 2020: 184 officer deaths by suicide
- 2021: 172 officer deaths by suicide
- 2022: 183 officer deaths by suicide
What’s even more alarming is that 68% of these suicides were at the officer level, meaning frontline responders—those in the trenches—are at the highest risk. Yet, only 23% were reported to be seeking any kind of help, with even lower numbers for PTSD treatment (17%) and general mental health care (7%).
Deterrents to seeking support include concerns over confidentiality, cultural competency, and stigma—barriers we must work to break down.
These statistics come from the report “Law Enforcement Deaths by Suicide,” published in March 2024 by the CNA Corporation and authored by Daniel S. Lawrence, Jessica Dockstader, Karen Solomon, Lewis Z. Schlosser, and Joe Willis (First H.E.L.P.). For those interested in reading further, you can access the full report here: Law Enforcement Deaths by Suicide Report.
While this report focuses specifically on police officers, forensic personnel should take note. We may not be first responding officers, but we see the same crime scenes, encounter similar stressors, and deal with the long-term psychological toll of forensic investigations. Unfortunately, research on mental health in the forensic field is still in its early stages. Some studies have emerged in recent years, but they remain surface-level, lacking the depth and breadth seen in law enforcement research. This gap in understanding should serve as a wake-up call—our mental health is just as critical, and it’s time to start advocating for more focused studies and support systems tailored to forensic professionals.
Support Systems and Coping Mechanisms: How Supervisors Can Lead the Way
When it comes to improving mental health in forensic science, supervisors have a crucial role to play. They not only oversee workflows and manage cases but also set the tone for how mental health is handled within the team. Unfortunately, many supervisors may be unaware of how deeply their team members are affected or may feel uncertain about how to address these issues.
So, how do we break the silence and create a culture where mental wellness isn’t an afterthought? Here are some actionable steps forensic supervisors can take to foster a supportive work environment:
1. Normalize Talking About Mental Health
Gone are the days when “suck it up” was an acceptable response to stress. Creating an open, stigma-free environment where employees can express their feelings without fear of judgment is vital.
Supervisors—lead by example when it comes to talking about mental health and share your own experiences if you’re comfortable. Matt, for instance, spoke candidly about his experiences with therapy and ketamine treatments. “When I started talking about my own mental health struggles openly, it opened the door for my team to do the same,” he shared.
By being transparent about your own struggles and seeking help when necessary, you create a ripple effect throughout your team. This helps shift the culture from silence to support, encouraging team members to prioritize their mental well-being.
Other ways supervisors can lead by example and prioritize their mental health:
- Not always coming in early and staying late
- Actually taking lunch breaks (instead of working through them at your desk)
- Not answering emails and phone calls at all hours of the day and night
- Respecting days off and encouraging their team to do the same
2. Make Mental Health Resources Accessible
Forensic professionals need access to mental health resources that cater specifically to their needs. However, most don’t know where to turn for help. A supervisor can assist by:
- Sharing pamphlets for Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) or mental health professionals who specialize in trauma and first responders
- Creating a list of local mental health support groups or counselors familiar with the forensic field
- Hosting wellness workshops that include stress management and resilience-building strategies
3. Implement Mental Health Days
Instituting mental health days as part of the company policy can allow forensic professionals to take time off specifically for their well-being. These days are an opportunity for staff to decompress, recharge, and return to work with renewed energy and focus.
If the idea of mental health days feels like a long shot at your agency, some departments get creative by offering mental health breaks during work hours. These breaks can include going to the gym, taking a walk outside, or attending a therapy session on the clock. Providing structured time for self-care helps forensic professionals decompress and maintain resilience throughout the workday.
4. Encourage Healthy Outlets for Stress
Encourage your team to engage in activities outside of work that allow them to completely disconnect from the demands of the job. This could include physical exercise, pursuing creative hobbies, or enjoying nature. These activities can provide the mental reset needed to prevent burnout and foster positive mental health.
TIP: The key is to find outlets that are entirely detached from work—so things like volunteering to teach forensics or binge-watching true crime shows don’t count.
5. Promote Healthy Work-Life Balance
We get it—when you’re passionate about your work, it’s hard to step away. But overworking helps no one.
Encouraging your forensic team to take regular breaks, use their vacation time, and disconnect from work when off-duty can prevent burnout. Many forensic professionals feel a sense of duty that leads them to overwork, but this ultimately harms their mental health. A burned-out forensic professional is not an effective one.
Supervisors should be mindful of workload distribution to ensure no one is overwhelmed and offer flexibility when possible. After all, a team member with a healthy work-life balance will perform better and be more engaged (win win!).
Therapy and Treatment Options: Finding What Works for You
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for mental health, but here are a few options that forensic professionals have found helpful. The right approach often depends on individual preferences and the severity of the situation. Here are some therapies and treatments you may want to explore:
1. Talk Therapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – CBT)
Talk therapy is one of the most common treatments for mental health issues. CBT, in particular, focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns. This can be especially helpful for forensic professionals who may develop harmful thinking patterns due to prolonged exposure to trauma.
2. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR is a type of therapy designed to help individuals process traumatic experiences. It involves guided eye movements while recalling distressing memories. EMDR has been proven effective in treating trauma, making it a great option for forensic professionals who have experienced acute or ongoing traumatic stress.
Hear more about Matt’s experience with EMDR in Part 1 of this series: “Trauma Recovery for Forensic Professionals: Strategies for Mental Health and Resilience”
3. Ketamine Therapy
Though relatively new, ketamine therapy has gained attention for its effectiveness in treating depression and PTSD. This form of treatment works by altering the brain’s neural pathways, offering fast-acting relief for those who may have not responded well to other treatments.
4. Support Groups
Forensic professionals can benefit greatly from connecting with others who share similar experiences. Support groups, whether in-person or virtual, provide a space to discuss challenges, coping mechanisms, and strategies for mental health management. The sense of community can alleviate feelings of isolation.
If you’re seeking a community of forensic professionals, you’re welcome to join our private community here.
5. Mindfulness and Meditation
Practices like mindfulness and meditation can be incredibly effective for reducing anxiety and stress. These practices encourage individuals to focus on the present moment, which can help break the cycle of negative thoughts and overwhelming emotions.
Not sure where to start? You might find the Calm App and The Tapping Solution App helpful.
Conclusion: Prioritizing Mental Health for a Better Future in Forensic Science
The forensic field is tough. There’s no way around it. But that doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice our mental health to do this job well. By normalizing mental health discussions, having open conversations, offering resources, and encouraging balance, we can keep forensic professionals strong, resilient, and ready to tackle whatever comes next.
As Matt wisely said during the podcast: “To help others, you have to be able to help yourself first.” In a field that deals with so much trauma, we need to ensure that forensic professionals have the resources, support, and strategies to maintain their mental health.
The road to recovery and balance in the forensic field is ongoing, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Tune in to Forensics Unfiltered, where we tackle real-world forensic challenges and share the latest industry strategies.
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We’d also love to welcome you into our private community of forensic professionals for support, shared experiences, and valuable resources. Get the help you need from others who truly understand what you’re going through. Click here to join now!
