Perspectives on Music Therapy, All Viewpoints Welcome

Disclaimer: AAFS is neither conducting nor endorsing this research or survey. AAFS is providing this opportunity solely to facilitate outreach to potential participants. Any questions regarding the research, survey, or participation request should be directed to the recruiter identified below. 

Disciplines Invited to Participate:  Anthropology, Criminalistics, Digital & Multimedia Sciences, Engineering & Applied Sciences, General, Odontology, Pathology/Biology, Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, Questioned Documents, Toxicology

Membership Category Requirement: AAFS Trainee Affiliates, Associate Members, Members, and Fellows

My name is Jennifer Krizner, and I am a Forensic Science and Law student at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA and an AAFS Student Affiliate. I am conducting a research study to understand forensic professionals' experience with music and perspectives of music therapy. The protocol IRB #2026/04/6. Examining the perceptions of music therapy to address work stress for forensic professionals has been verified by the Duquesne University Institutional Review Board as Exempt.

Survey Overview: The purpose of this study is to understand forensic professionals' experience with music and perspectives of music therapy. Forensic professionals' work stressors are already noted in literature, and music therapy is an established treatment option for general work stressors. However, there is no current research using music therapy to address work stress for forensic professionals, and music therapists have little knowledge about forensic professionals' work stressors, so the data collected will be able to inform music therapists of forensic profesionals' perspectives on music therapy. The data collected will be presented to an expert panel of music (psycho)therapists after a content analysis is completed, and the therapists can provide possible treatment options to alleviate work stressors using music therapy techniques.

I am recruiting individuals who meet all of these criteria:

• Currently or previously be employed in a forensic science related field for any amount of time in any position.

If you decide to participate in this study, you will be asked to do the following activity:

• An anonymous Qualtrics survey which will take 10-15 minutes to complete

During this activity, you will be asked questions about:

• Demographics including:
  • Gender, age, race or ethnicity, and years of experience
• Personal experience with music
  • Perceptions of music therapy

These survey results will be used for a master's thesis, presentation at a future AAFS conference and other forensic conferences, and a JFS article.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please click this link: https://duq.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8qNs6ZxWjPix5cy.

The survey will close on October 31, 2026. Please share this with your colleagues and invite them to participate! If you have questions, please contact me at kriznerj@duq.edu or (412) 660-5840.

Thank you for considering participating in this voluntary research!