Pilot of Psychological Supervision for Forensic Science Staff

SPA Forensic Services provide independent, impartial specialist forensic services to policing and the wider criminal justice system in Scotland. Operational Forensic Services staff are routinely exposed to incidents, images and case material that is often distressing or traumatic in nature, and carries a high level of stress and psychological risk. Prolonged and repeated exposure to this is more prevalent in the scene attending disciplines and in areas such as Imaging where review of traumatic images is conducted daily. As such, it is proposed that a Pilot be undertaken to evaluate any impact that incorporating psychological supervision into the professional practice could have on the mental health and wellbeing of forensic staff. The pilot will run for approximately 3 years, which will allow trends and impact to be apparent and measurable – the supervision will include regular meetings with specific, suitably trained counsellors for the full duration. Providers will also provide suggested improvements to the approach and the wider SPA occupational health strategy and full report detailing final results, analysis and recommendations for future support.