Psychological Coping Mechanisms Used by Crime Scene Investigators

Introduction

Crime scene investigators experience a unique form of stress and vicarious trauma. They are assigned to investigate brutal types of crimes such as multiple murders, sex-crimes, and child sexual abuse (Miller, 2008). This stress varies in frequency and intensity due to multiple factors. Psychological stressors include working with dead bodies, assisting victims, and pressure from the public and senior police officials. Stress may continue throughout the investigation period and even after the investigation. Some cases may exceed the investigator’s psychological coping mechanisms (Miller, 2008).

Coping Strategies

Isolation. Crime scene investigation officer confines their mental faculties to particular tasks of investigating the crime without transferring the effect to other aspects of their lives (Buker, 2012). Redirection. Officers sublimate and compartmentalize their thoughts while at a crime scene. May create jokes among the officers involved in criminal investigations (Horswell, 2004). Confidentiality. Enables officers to establish cordial relationships with the family members of the victims, which makes those officers feel more accepted in their work (Fish et al., 2011 ). Strategies could be implemented by themselves or mental health specialists (Buker, 2012).

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