2026/04/27 by Natasha Cullen, Fazeelat Duran
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis #Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research #Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
paper · doi:10.1177/0032258x261444913
openalex publication_date 2026/04/27 · openalex created_date 2026/04/28 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Research on work-related trauma in criminal justice has focused on front-line officers, overlooking personnel such as analysts, secondary investigators, call takers, and forensic specialists, who are indirectly exposed to trauma. This systematic review synthesized 62 studies. Findings identified that supporting personnel face distress comparable to front-line staff, commonly experiencing Secondary Traumatic Stress, PTSD, and burnout. Risk factors included gender and low organizational support, while workplace social support and positive coping strategies, mitigated adverse outcomes. Negative coping strategies, including avoidance, exacerbated distress. Criminal justice settings need to recognize risk, foster effective coping mechanisms, and implement early interventions for supporting personnel.