The effects of investigating homicide on police investigators

This paper presents the initial findings of an exploratory study comparing the cognitive and emotional stressors experienced by police when investigating suspicious child and adult deaths (e.g. homicides). The results of an online survey questionnaire with 99 experienced UK police investigators are presented, with key differences found in the cognitive and emotional stress experienced depending on whether the victim was a child or an adult, and key differences and similarities identified in the ways investigators deal and cope with adult and child victim cases. A brief discussion of the implications for the well-being and training of police homicide investigators is also provided.