The South African Police Service : the experiences of forensic police officers exposed to critical incidents
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Authors
Masupha, Tshiwela Francinah
Issue Date
2022-01-31
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Forensic police officers , Critical incidents , South African Police Service , Policing and ecological system theory
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background to the study: Forensic police officers are exposed to critical incidents, and the
exposure to critical incidents may differ, depending on the individual concern, leading to a
traumatic situation that may require psychological intervention. Against this background, the
study investigated the psychological effect of critical incidents on forensic police officers.
Research method: The study adopted a qualitative research approach in order to understand
the experiences of forensic police officers exposed to critical incidents and how they react to
traumatic conditions after attending critical incidents. The type of qualitative research design
adopted was a case study, which was used to describe the individual situation to identify key
issues that could be analysed. The purposive sampling method was applied when selecting
participants to help the researcher obtain participants who had been directly exposed to
critical incidents and could relate their experiences very well during the interviews. Five
forensic police officers were selected to participate in the study, and the sample included the
24 – 59 age group. All the participants had more than five years of experience in the forensic
services division. Unstructured interviews were used to collect information from the
participants about their experiences as forensic police officers.
Theoretical framework: The ecological system theory provides a holistic approach that
encompasses a broader framework of the relationship forensic police officers have with their
environment. This theory helped to understand participants’ self‐awareness, family relations,
and participation in various groups of communities, and how that impacted a working
environment that exposes individuals to critical incidents during the execution of activities
and functions.
Research findings: As much as some of them felt a calling to become forensic police officers,
we cannot overlook the fact that critical incidents have a negative impact on forensic police
officers. Those who participated in the study indicated that they are exposed to the following
types of critical incidents while attending crime scenes: suicide, murder, serious injury,
advanced decomposed bodies, gunshot wounds, and death due to fire.
Concluding remarks: It is clear that exposure to critical incidents has negatively impacted
forensic police officers, and there is a need for the South African Police Service (SAPS) to
provide enough support for them to cope well with the effects of critical incidents. This study
was a platform for forensic police officers to share their experiences and will educate the
public about the work of forensic police officers. The study will also become a referral for
future research studies on the exposure to critical incidents of members of the SAPS.