Abstract
Forensic science professionals play a crucial role in the criminal justice system, but due to the nature of forensic science careers, exposure to traumatic material and occupational stressors remains common within the profession. The impacts of these aspects of the career field are not negligible, with prior research suggesting that forensic science professionals experience various forms of psychological distress, including but not limited to burnout, post-traumatic stress disorder, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma. The present study sought to analyze open-ended responses to survey questions from forensic science professionals (N = 223) to better understand their experiences of occupational stressors and mental health. Using a qualitative approach, the results highlight several insights into stress and mental health among forensic science professionals. First, sources of stress are not limited to occupational stressors, and stressors may compound on one another. Second, the impact of stress has negative psychological outcomes, at times leading to both positive and negative coping mechanisms. Said coping mechanisms reflect not only stressors and the psychological impact of work, but also barriers to help-seeking behaviors, as well as the role of stigma for forensic science professionals seeking mental health assistance. We conclude with discussions of policy implementations, drawing from the perspectives of respondents.