Forensic professionals are suffering severe damage to their mental health due to frequent exposure to traumatic scenes, according to UNISON, the largest trade union in the United Kingdom.
Based on a health and wellbeing survey of 245 police crime scene investigators at forces in England, Scotland and Wales, conducted between April 23 and May 16, 2025, 84% of CSI staff say their work takes a heavy toll on their mental health.
More than a third (36%) of CSIs said their mental health is “seriously” or “very negatively” affected by the job. In fact, around 18% have received a medical diagnosis for a mental health issue or trauma-related condition—raising concerns many more are struggling without proper support.
While this is not a new part of the job, many survey participants noted it is getting worse thanks to a toxic work environment.
For example, 78% of surveyed CSIs report increased workplace pressures over the 12 months preceding the survey. Additionally, 75% of staff say their employer’s expectations have increased; however, 56% report their department has cut staff over the past year. Not only does staff reduction impact hours, it also takes a toll on morale—especially in this type of trauma-forward work.
“There needs to be more awareness of the number of deaths we attend and how this affects our mental health,” said a crime scene investigator who took the survey. “I love my job, but we’re rarely in company with colleagues for entire shifts—as we do not have the staff to double crew—and therefore only see victims of crime. Having company would help with ‘compassion fatigue’ as it lightens the load. I’ve also been in situations where I’ve been at risk due to suspects still being at the scene, and I’ve not had personal safety training, or anyone with me, for support.”
Surveyed CSIs also told UNISON there is a lack of management support and a culture of dismissing stress as just “part of the job.”
“Mental health issues aren’t supported, and we’re just expected to get on with the job,” remarked a surveyed CSI staff member. “We’ve been told that if we aren’t fit enough to do the job then we should find something else. Regular support should be available to discuss wellbeing on an individual basis, as sometimes an incident can affect you months after attending. Sometimes it’s the less traumatic incidents that stay with you.”
Delays in accessing services, lack of confidentiality and limited trauma-specific help mean many investigators don’t receive the support they expect, according to UNISON’s findings.
About 30% of the surveyed CSIs say they have never been offered access to a core police service support package, while 33% have taken time off because of ill-health linked to their job.
UNISON is urging the UK police service and individual forces to guarantee CSIs at least one paid shift to recover following attendance at a traumatic scene. The union—which includes over 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy—says government investment is also needed to tackle chronic understaffing and “protect the wellbeing of workers essential to a functioning justice system.”
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