Crime scene investigators face post-traumatic stress disorder

By Lee Kyung-min

Two out of 10 police officers with the crime scene investigation (CSI) department are at high risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a study showed Monday.

According to the study led by a CSI officer at the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency (GMPA) presented at a seminar jointly organized by the Korean Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the National Police Agency, about 20 percent of CSI officers tested over three times are more likely than average to feel stress due to “haunting images at crime scenes.” Korea began hiring people in 2005 to work under supervision of police CSI departments. As of last year, 107 such officers worked at 17 regional and metropolitan police agencies nationwide.

GMPA officer Nho Seon-mi surveyed 226 coroners and CSI investigators that had at least one year of field experience. The study showed 19.9 percent of “high-risk” personnel showed PTSD levels exceeding 39.38 points, almost three times the 13.69 point average.

The most common PTSD symptoms experienced by the high-risk group were “intrusion,” or re-experiencing, whereby an officer is haunted by flashbacks of traumatic events. The next common symptom was “avoidance,” characterized by a reluctance to openly talk about the people, places, thoughts, feelings, or activities closely associated with a traumatic event. Some exhibited exaggerated negative beliefs and self-blame for events, persistent negative emotional states and reduced ability to feel positive emotions. While some showed detachment from others and loss of interest, others showed irritable or aggressive behavior, recklessness, sleep disturbance or difficulty concentrating.

“Some people become withdrawn and begin depending on alcohol which could lead to depression,” a veteran CSI officer in Gwangju said. “Rookie officers may feel helpless and shocked, as the experience is new and something they cannot really prepare for. When I first saw a dead baby or young children at a crime scene, I couldn't concentrate for hours because I was reminded of my own family back home. But we talk about this with fellow officers and try to cope with the stress by seeking counseling.”

Officers in Gwangju participate in a mental wellness program at least once a year at Chosun University. Counseling for possible mental and psychological issues and stress management is available upon request. Similar programs are available for officers with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency at SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center _ operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul National University _ and the National Police Hospital, both in Seoul.