Journal of forensic sciences最新文献

Forensic anthropologists regularly come into direct contact with decedents affected by skeletal trauma, and consequently can experience high levels of indirect trauma exposure. However, beyond their nominal inclusion in self-reported surveys of the general forensic science population, there have been few empirical research studies chronicling the outcomes experienced from indirect traumatic stress in forensic anthropologists, including their risk for the development of acute and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSDs). There have been even fewer educational and training efforts aimed at recognizing and mitigating potential harmful effects. This article utilizes an interdisciplinary approach grounded in clinical psychology and anthropology to examine the risks and potential outcomes associated with exposure to indirect traumatic stress in forensic anthropologists. Vicarious traumatization, compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and acute and PTSDs are considered in terms of their symptomatology and risks of harm. Forensic anthropology casework involving domestic abuse (including pediatric non-accidental injury), multiple traumatic deaths, fieldwork recoveries, specialized contexts (e.g., mass fatality incidents, human rights investigations), and interaction with family members of decedents are associated with a high risk for potential negative outcomes. Evidence-based recommendations for organizational, peer, and individual mitigation and intervention of risk factors for the development of traumatic stress in these forensic practitioners are provided. Psychoeducation and training as well as empirical study of the potential harmful effects of indirect traumatic stress exposure on forensic anthropologists are strongly encouraged.

Police officers operate at the intersection of pervasive community trauma and persistent organizational stress, making them uniquely vulnerable to potentially psychologically traumatizing and morally injurious events. The impact of this chronic trauma exposure can be either mitigated or exacerbated by individual and organizational factors. Existing trauma-informed policing initiatives have largely centered on community-facing practices, while officer well-being and relevant organizational determinants of wellness are neglected. This paper advances enhanced trauma-informed policing (E-TIP), a novel conceptual, multi-level framework that integrates (a) meaning-making processes, (b) trauma exposure considerations (adverse childhood experiences, secondary/vicarious trauma, moral injury), (c) person-centered leadership, and (d) organizational justice, unified by emotional intelligence (EI) as a cross-cutting competency. Synthesizing neurocognitive, psychological, and organizational literature, we describe how trauma reshapes attention, appraisal, identity, and decision-making, and explicate the moderating roles of leadership, EI, and justice in redirecting trajectories from dysregulation and cynicism toward resilience and posttraumatic growth. We propose testable linkages between EI and adaptive meaning-making; leadership and relational safety; and organizational justice and ethical decision-making. The paper translates these mechanisms into practice through implementation targets: EI-embedded training for officers and supervisors; leader development in trauma-informed, person-centered behaviors; and organizational reforms that institutionalize procedural, distributive, interpersonal, and informational justice. We conclude with a research agenda to assess E-TIP's impact on officer health, decision quality, and community trust. E-TIP reframes trauma-informed policing as a bi-directional, evidence-informed approach designed to safeguard both communities and the officers who serve them.

Research indicates that forensic science professionals operate under significant pressure, the magnitude of which varies depending on their field, workload, case type, tenure, and the evidentiary significance of their testimony in court. This study conducted a needs analysis of forensic science professionals by examining their psychological well-being, coping mechanisms, and barriers to accessing mental health services. A total of 618 individuals from the AAFS community completed the anonymous online Qualtrics survey. Out of 618 participants, 601 participants responded to the PCL-5 questionnaire, which revealed that 8.4% (n = 52) of the 601 forensic science professionals have probable PTSD symptoms. There was no significant difference between genders for probable PTSD symptoms. However, 76.5% of the probable PTSD symptomatic population were more likely to seek therapy as a result of work-related stress. Female forensic science professionals and forensic science professionals with fewer years of work experience were likely to report more psychological distress symptoms. A similar pattern was noticed with using coping strategies and experiencing mental health barriers based on gender and years of working experience. In general, forensic science professionals were more likely to report positive coping strategies (e.g., talking with a spouse) and less likely to use maladaptive strategies (e.g., drugs). Finally, female forensic science professionals reported 5 out of 14 mental health barriers to help-seeking behavior. Findings support the need to implement a supportive organizational culture, including training, awareness programs, and encouraging help-seeking behaviors, irrespective of gender and years of experience.

Mental health professionals who conduct forensic assessments are often exposed to stressors during evaluations of justice-involved individuals (e.g., graphic descriptions of violence, crime scene photos), yet little research has examined vicarious trauma among forensic mental health evaluators. Vicarious trauma refers to the emotional and psychological impact experienced by individuals who are indirectly exposed to traumatic events. This study used a self-report survey to examine how various protective and risk factors impact the prevalence of vicarious trauma among forensic psychologists (N = 82). Results revealed that perceived social support, trait empathy, the total number of evaluations conducted, and substance use as a coping skill were not significantly related to forensic psychologists' experience of vicarious trauma. Although results were not statistically significant, this study's methodology contributes to the existing literature by exploring how vicarious trauma may manifest differently in forensic psychologists when compared to other “helping professions,” and it provides suggestions for future research to more accurately capture the construct of vicarious trauma. Future research should seek to improve existing operationalizations of vicarious trauma and explore it'sprevalence among other types of forensic mental health evaluators.

Traditionally, forensic anthropologists worked on secured scenes or in academic labs. Today, practitioners are more involved in casework, working alongside forensic pathologists during autopsies, mass disasters, and interviewing relatives. This expanded role brings practitioners into closer and repeated contact with the emotional aspects of death and associated vicarious trauma (VT). While many forensic disciplines address the impact of VT, the effects on forensic anthropologists remain underexplored. The authors surveyed practitioners (N = 114) who worked with human remains in a medicolegal context part-time, full-time, or as a part of coursework. Questions focused on how practitioners acknowledge or support their mental health and which aspects of casework they find triggering or stressful. Respondents had the option to provide open text testimonials. Participants were triggered most by children/child abuse cases and testifying at trial. Stress was highest surrounding personal finances, work/life balance, engagement with supervisors, and speaking with decedents’ family/friends. While many felt supported by coworkers and supervisors, approximately half felt comfortable directly discussing their concerns. The majority noted availability to wellness programs and over half have sought professional support. Participants highlighted compartmentalization, peer/coworker support, and exercise/sports to cope with work-related stress. These results underscore challenges and resilience in forensic anthropology. Despite gaps in support, communication, and normalization of mental health discussions, practitioners demonstrated a commitment to their profession, supported by coping strategies and institutional resources. Continued efforts to address vicarious trauma in forensic anthropology practice are essential to fostering and normalizing a healthier, sustainable workforce.

Bayram E. Determination of erythrocyte degradation levels and estimation of age blood spot using atomic force microscopy. J Forensic Sci. 2025;70(5): 1721–32. https://10.1111/1556-4029.70095

Due to an oversight, the corresponding institutional affiliation, co-authorship, and the funding acknowledgment were omitted in the published version. The study was financially supported by Atatürk University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (Project ID: FDK-2022-10797). These details should have been included to accurately reflect the source and funding of the research.

The correct authorship, affiliation, and funding information should read as follows:

Authors

Emrah Bayram PhD^1,2,3; Özkan Aksakal PhD^3,4

Affiliations

¹Republic of Turkey Ministry of Internal Affairs, General Directorate of Security, Samsun Criminal Police Laboratory Directorate, Samsun, Türkiye

²Ali Fuat Başgil Faculty of Law, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Türkiye

³Department of Criminalistics, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Science, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Türkiye

⁴Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science Faculty, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Türkiye

Funding Information

The study was financially supported by Atatürk University (Project ID: FDK-2022-10797).

Acknowledgments

This study was prepared from Emrah Bayram's PhD thesis.

We apologize for this error.

This mixed-methods research examines the emotional and cognitive impact of courtroom testimony when conducted by forensic professionals in Pakistan. In this study, 10 practitioners of different forensic fields were interviewed semi-structurally, and 120 respondents were used to complete a structured questionnaire. The findings of the qualitative approach revealed that there was anticipatory anxiety prior to testifying, physical symptoms of being shaky and unable to sleep, and long-term emotional exhaustion. As a consequence, the professionals reported reduced confidence. Most interviewees noted that they felt unsupported and at the mercy of conflicting lawyers when being cross-examined. To endorse these results, the quantitative analysis found a high correlation between courtroom anxiety and psychological distress, and low use of coping strategies. Regression analysis highlighted that the greater the professional experience and previous courtroom training, the less stress he/she had and the more coping mechanisms were used, with demographic factors having relatively little influence. Lack of institutional support procedures that are formal endangers professionals to burnout and can lower their quality in testimonial services, which may affect the credibility of the judicial process. The results indicate that resilience training, formal debriefing, and supervision support should be used in forensic institutions to guarantee the well-being of practitioners and maintain the quality of courtroom evidence.

While the forensic sciences offer versatile and rewarding careers, practitioners and administrative staff within the field report high levels of occupational stress (OS). OS stems from job tasks and requirements, workplace culture, and the broader legal system, ranging from job strain to more severe vicarious trauma and secondary traumatic stress (VT/STS). Despite recognition of the consequences of OS in forensic sciences, most research focuses on individual risk factors without considering the broader context. The aim of this study was to develop a socio-ecological model specifically for use within the forensic sciences that holistically overviews the sources and risk factors for OS and VT/STS. To underpin and develop this model, a three-step mixed studies critical review was conducted, comprising a literature search, in-depth analysis of empirical literature using robust methods, and a thematic content analysis. The identified themes were subsequently grouped within five identified OS domains: individual, interpersonal, job content, job context, and sociopolitical. The findings indicated that the risk for developing OS and VT/STS in the forensic sciences can be understood through the factors across the five domains. The risk factors and the five domains are explored in detail within the present article. Recommendations for addressing OS and VT/STS include interventions to identify, remove, and manage risks for OS across all five domains, recognizing the impact that the job content, job context, and sociopolitical factors have on an individual's resilience to workplace demands. We conclude by providing future research directions that will enhance the model specifically developed for this paper.

Sharp force injuries caused by cutting or stabbing instruments represent a relatively rare cause of death in the United States, with firearms remaining the leading mechanism in homicides. Among sharp instruments, machete-related fatalities are infrequently reported, and no documented suicides have been described. In this case, an adult male with a history of schizophrenia, intellectual disability, and depression was found deceased at home with a machete embedded in the chest. Postmortem examination revealed a wound tract involving multiple rib fractures, lung and pulmonary artery injury, and left hemothorax. The scene investigation, psychiatric history, and autopsy findings supported a suicidal manner of death. This case highlighted the unique forensic challenges posed by machete injuries which, due to the nature of the weapon and resulting injuries, can complicate the determination of the manner of death. Differentiating suicide from homicide in such cases requires a comprehensive approach, including thorough scene analysis, detailed autopsy, and consideration of psychiatric and circumstantial evidence.