Vicarious Trauma, Stress, and the “Slow Boil” Effect in Forensic Science
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a national observance established in 1949 to promote awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage early support. This year's theme for the National Alliance on Mental Illness is particularly relevant: "Stigma grows in silence. Healing begins in community."
What Recent Research Is Telling Us
New findings published in 2026 reinforce what many forensic professionals have experienced firsthand: work-related stress and vicarious trauma often develop gradually, cumulatively, and silently.
A recent qualitative study of forensic science professionals described this experience as "like a frog boiling in water" — stress does not always arise from a single traumatic case, but instead builds slowly over time, often unnoticed until symptoms become overwhelming (Ferrante et al., 2026). Contributors reported that occupational stress is rarely isolated to case exposure alone; it is amplified by heavy caseloads, staffing shortages, managerial conflict, courtroom pressure, and personal life stressors that intersect with work demands.
Complementing this work, a large-scale needs assessment of AAFS members found that (Seigfried-Spellar and Tyagi, 2026):
- Nearly 1 in 12 forensic professionals meet screening criteria for probable PTSD
- Common symptoms include fatigue, sleep disruption, anxiety, hypervigilance, and difficulty concentrating
- While many professionals rely on adaptive coping strategies (e.g., social support), barriers such as time constraints, stigma, access issues, and fear of professional repercussions continue to limit help-seeking behaviors
Why This Matters
Forensic science professionals routinely engage with human suffering — whether through disturbing imagery, trauma narratives, death investigation, or high-stakes testimony. Over time, this exposure can shift how individuals view safety, trust, and the world around them, even when they deeply value their work.
Vicarious trauma and secondary traumatic stress do not indicate weakness, lack of professionalism, or poor resilience. They are occupational risks — and risks that can be mitigated through awareness, early intervention, peer support, and organizational commitment.
Turning Awareness into Action
Research consistently shows that professionals report lower burnout and distress when they believe their organizations take mental health seriously. This includes:
- Normalizing conversations about stress and trauma
- Providing access to qualified mental health professionals familiar with forensic work
- Offering flexibility for appointments without penalty or stigma
- Introducing training early — before symptoms escalate
- Supporting mentorship and peer-based support, particularly for early-career professionals
Mental health care should not be viewed as a last resort. It should be considered routine professional maintenance, just like continuing education or equipment calibration.
Our Commitment
The AAFS Ad Hoc Committee on Vicarious Trauma remains committed to advancing research, education, and advocacy to support the long-term well-being of forensic science professionals. Many of us entered this field to serve justice, science, and the public — but sustaining that mission requires caring for ourselves and one another.
This month, we encourage you to:
- Check in with yourself — early and honestly
- Check on colleagues, especially those newer to the field
- Challenge stigma when you see it
- Start the conversation, even if it feels uncomfortable
In every story, there is strength — and through shared awareness, we can turn that strength into meaningful change. Happy Mental Health Awareness Month.
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The views and opinions expressed in the articles contained in the Academy News are those of the identified authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Academy.