Wellbeing

The wellbeing of forensic practitioners is vital. The FCN is exploring methods to understand the current wellbeing status and issues within our forensic community. We want to help identify gaps in existing wellbeing support and good practice within forces, and make recommendations for change to enhance wellbeing of forensic practitioners.

To access previous research, news and webinars about wellbeing in forensics and policing, take a look through our resources below.

The 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line is an independent and confidential service for anyone working in policing, experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts.

If you’re in crisis, and need help now, call 0300 131 2789

Mental Health Crisis Line for policing | Oscar Kilo

ZITiS recently hosted the CYCLOPES Practitioners’ Workshop on the Wellbeing of Digital Forensic Investigators (DFIs), a vital and timely discussion on how we support those operating in some of the most challenging and emotionally demanding roles in law enforcement.

DFIs face ongoing exposure to traumatic content, high operational pressures, and often work within organisational settings where structured wellbeing support is limited or inconsistent. This workshop provided a collaborative space to confront these realities and explore actionable solutions.
Key insights from the discussion:

• Cultural barriers persist - stigma around seeking help, coupled with a lingering ‘macho’ culture, continues to discourage engagement with support service.
• Organisational frameworks need strengthening — current approaches to screen breaks, exposure limits, and return-to-work support remain fragmented and undefined.
• Leadership plays a pivotal role — line managers require better training to recognise early signs of distress and to foster supportive, open dialogue.
• Technology presents new opportunities — innovations such as blurred viewing interfaces, trauma exposure trackers, and AI-assisted triage could significantly reduce harm.
• Wellbeing must be built in, not bolted on — through mandatory rest periods, dedicated wellbeing time, and structured support programmes.
• A European data gap must be addressed — participants supported the development of a centralised data source to guide consistent, evidence-informed practices across the EU.

The event brought together law enforcement practitioners, mental health professionals, and researchers who shared insights, experiences, and practical recommendations. FCN presented on the work that we have completed in England and Wales and shared the survey we are currently completing. 

A full report with recommendations will be published soon. This workshop marks an important step toward building a more resilient, trauma-informed digital forensic workforce across Europe.