Being a Crime Scene Investigator, Death Investigator, or Detective can be exciting! You never know what will happen throughout your day, and work can go from slow-paced to full throttle quickly. However, these occupations can also tax and wear on a person mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Being a Death Investigator
One of the most complex types of investigations on deaths.
Death incidents are usually categorized into these types: Accidental, Natural, Suicide, and Homicide. None of these are any less morbid than the other, but suspicious deaths, such as suicide and homicide, can be challenging to handle. Even the natural ones may be sad, especially if the individual died alone.
Suicide deaths and homicides are often more challenging to handle as an investigator. Why? Suspicious deaths are usually unexpected, sudden, and shocking. It can be surprising even as an investigator who may not know the decedent personally. A suspicious death investigation is much more than going to a scene, collecting evidence, and finding the suspect. There are emotions involved, such as family members breaking the news and friends and co-workers interviewing. Not only does an investigator have to process a crime scene with the decedent there, but they also have to speak with family members and potentially help them cope with the death of their loved one.
These types of investigations can be a lot to handle. However, there are a few ways professionals and those coping with the death of a family member or friend can approach these stressful situations.
Tips To Be a Crime Scene Investigator
Remind yourself that you are there for the decedent. It’s not about you. Especially in the event of a suspicious death, investigators should remember they are there to speak for the person who no longer can.
If you knew the person, remember the positives.
Leave emotion at the door when investigating. It can be easy to become overwhelmed at the moment, but remind yourself that you have a job to do and that you owe it to the decedent and their loved ones to do your best.
Take breaks. Take your time with an investigation. This doesn’t do anyone any favors. Taking a break also allows you, as the investigator, to reset and regroup, and you may even see the scene in a different light, which will help the case.
Try not to get attached to the decedent’s family. This may sound like a negative trait, but it is a coping mechanism for the investigator. Of course, contact with the family, updates, and follow-up calls are necessary. However, set boundaries such as only providing work contact information to the family and only taking calls during working hours.
Give yourself time to decompress. It is not easy to handle death. Allow yourself some time to decompress from the situation.
Seek professional help if the feelings of loss and being overwhelmed do not improve. Whether you are a professional in the first responder field or medical field, or you have lost a loved one, always seek professional help if you get to a point where you feel you need it.
Case Closed
Death Investigations are among the most important types since the person you are investigating is no longer able to tell you what happened. They can be intense and emotional, but they are also very rewarding when you can help someone’s family find the truth. Although they may not seem like a positive circumstance, there can be positive aspects that stem from these unfortunate incidents.
The better an investigator’s first responder or loved one takes care of themselves when faced with this type of situation, the better the outcome will be.
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