Stress and trauma among crime scene investigators in Tshwane, South Africa

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Crime scene investigators gather evidence and record murder scenes and are thus in close contact with dead bodies. Continuous exposure to traumatic crime scenes could result in post-incident stress disorders. OBJECTIVES: To describe the stress, trauma and mental health of crime scene investigators in Tshwane, South Africa, as well as their general health and substance use, work circumstances, help-seeking behaviour, training, and work satisfaction. METHODS: Using convenience sampling, 79 crime scene investigators employed at the four Local Criminal Record Centres in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng, South Africa participated in a survey, using a selfadministered questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics. Associations between the mental health, stress and traumatic nature of crime scene scales were determined using Spearman’s correlation. RESULTS: One in five respondents (20.5%) had been diagnosed with a mental health problem. More than half (53.9%) worked at one or two murder scenes per week. Most (60.7%) described their work as stressful and 58.2% presented with trauma symptomology. Murder scenes involving children were reported to be particularly traumatic (79.2%). Most respondents (68.8%) expressed the need to speak to someone about their work. There were positive correlations (p < 0.005) between the mental health, stress and traumatic nature of crime scene scales. CONCLUSION: The study shows that crime scene examiners experience disproportionate levels of stress and trauma, and uptake of in-house wellness support is low. Despite their adverse working conditions and, for some, negative mental health outcomes, most crime scene investigators appeared to be satisfied with their work.