📝 Complete the Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study: https://www.forensicfocus.com/survey

Bunmi Bloom, co-founder of Sena Forensics, joins the Forensic Focus Podcast to discuss the emotional reality of working in digital forensics and the psychological toll of long-term exposure to traumatic material. Drawing on her background with the Metropolitan Police and the Financial Conduct Authority, Bunmi reflects on how DFIR practitioners navigate disturbing images, case reports, and the pressure to "stay strong and get on with it."

The conversation explores coping mechanisms inside the lab, the vital role of social support, and how desensitisation can develop over time. Bunmi shares why many investigators feel unable to speak openly, how team culture shapes resilience, and what better preparation for new DFIs could look like. She also considers whether psychological screening, mentoring, and leadership-driven change could help create safer, more supportive forensic workplaces.

#digitalforensics #DFIR #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #Policing #CSAM

00:00 Introducing Bunmi Bloom

00:39 Sena Forensics: Mission and Services

03:44 Professional Background

05:35 The Impactful LinkedIn Post

07:50 Emotional Challenges in Digital Forensics

10:55 Coping Mechanisms and Social Support

15:20 Desensitization and Emotional Detachment

18:39 Preparation and Support for New DFIs

22:56 The Importance of Recognizing Stressors

25:16 The Role of Social Support

28:27 Cultural Shifts in Mental Health Awareness

31:53 Psychological Screening in Recruitment

38:53 Systemic Change and Leadership

41:20 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

👉 Visit Forensic Focus: https://www.forensicfocus.com

🎧 Video/Transcript: https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/preparing-investigators-for-trauma-exposure-in-digital-forensics/

📝 Show Notes

Sena Forensics on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sena-forensics-bunmi-bloom-76a592374/

Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study - https://www.forensicfocus.com/survey

👉 Follow Forensic Focus

RSS | https://www.forensicfocus.com/feed

YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ForensicFocus

Podcast | https://forensicfocus.com/podcast

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LinkedIn Group | https://linkedin.com/groups/693917

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Facebook | https://facebook.com/forensicfocus

Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/forensicfocus.bsky.social

Instagram | https://instagram.com/forensicfocus

TikTok | https://tiktok.com/@forensicfocus

Mastodon | https://dfir.social/@forensicfocus

📝 Take The Surveys

An Exploratory Study of Covert Cyber Investigators and the Psychological Factors Impacting on Personal Resilience and Investigative Decision-Making

https://hud.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3gwyXAR281cY12C

Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study

https://www.forensicfocus.com/survey

Carol Brooks, a cyber and organisational psychologist and leadership consultant, joins the Forensic Focus Podcast to discuss her PhD research into covert cyber investigators and the psychological factors that shape their resilience and investigative decision-making. She explains what it really means to work "covertly" online and why inconsistent job titles across law enforcement, cybersecurity and the private sector make it difficult even to define the workforce she is studying.

The conversation explores the significant challenges involved in recruiting participants — from suspicion and cultural barriers to the difficulties of engaging freelancers and small teams — and highlights why anonymity and ethical oversight are critical to building trust. It also examines the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry if research is to have real-world impact, before concluding with a call for covert cyber investigators worldwide to take part in the study and help give this hidden workforce a much-needed voice.

#DigitalForensics #DFIR #CyberPsychology #InvestigatorWellbeing #CovertInvestigations #mentalhealth

00:00 Introducing Carol Brooks

02:05 Carol's PhD Journey and Research Focus

06:49 Understanding Covert Cyber Investigators

13:11 Challenges in Recruiting Participants

27:18 Psychological Factors in Cyber Investigations

29:54 Setting PhD Goals and Challenges

31:02 Connecting with Covert Investigators

32:25 Overcoming Suspicion and Misconceptions

33:26 Strategies for Accessing Networks

36:37 Supporting Investigator Wellbeing

46:55 Bridging Academia and Industry

52:50 Balancing PhD and Personal Life

58:36 Call to Action for Covert Investigators

👉 Visit Forensic Focus: https://www.forensicfocus.com

🎧 Video/Transcript: https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/covert-cyber-investigator-well-being-with-carol-brooks/

📝 Show Notes

An Exploratory Study of Covert Cyber Investigators and the Psychological Factors Impacting on Personal Resilience and Investigative Decision-Making - https://hud.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3gwyXAR281cY12C

British Psychological Society Cyber Psychology Section – https://www.bps.org.uk

Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study - https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/northumbria/forensic-focus-wellbeing-survey

👉 Follow Forensic Focus

RSS | https://www.forensicfocus.com/feed

YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ForensicFocus

Podcast | https://forensicfocus.com/podcast

LinkedIn Page | https://linkedin.com/company/forensicfocus

LinkedIn Group | https://linkedin.com/groups/693917

X (Twitter) | https://x.com/ForensicFocus

Facebook | https://facebook.com/forensicfocus

Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/forensicfocus.bsky.social

Instagram | https://instagram.com/forensicfocus

TikTok | https://tiktok.com/@forensicfocus

Mastodon | https://dfir.social/@forensicfocus

Phil Anderson from Northumbria University joins the Forensic Focus Podcast to discuss the launch of the Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study — a global research project examining the psychological and physical impact of digital forensic work across both law enforcement and the private sector.

Drawing on his 24-year academic career and long-standing collaboration with Northumbria Police, Phil explains how digital forensics units have evolved and why DFIs are facing unprecedented levels of stress, burnout, and workload pressure.

Together with host Paul, he outlines the four core research themes behind the study — early-life trauma and resilience, the mind-body impact of occupational stress, organisational protective factors, and the role of neurodiversity — and issues a clear call to action for DFIs worldwide to take part and help drive meaningful change.

#DigitalForensics #DFIR #ForensicWellbeing #DFIs #MentalHealth #Neurodiversity #Trauma #PoliceForensics

00:00 Phil Anderson's Journey into Digital Forensics

01:34 Collaboration with Northumbria Police

02:33 The Evolution of Digital Forensics Units

03:34 Planning the Forensic Focus Well-Being Study

11:40 Exploring the Impact of Early Life Trauma on DFIs

19:51 Coping Strategies and Physical Health in DFIs

24:37 Challenges and Stressors in Digital Forensics

27:51 Challenges in Digital Forensics

28:42 Recruitment and Retention Issues

30:18 Acknowledging the Crisis

33:34 Protective Factors Against Trauma

44:08 Neurodiversity in Digital Forensics

47:46 Call to Action: Participate in the Survey

👉 Visit Forensic Focus at https://www.forensicfocus.com

🎧 Video/Transcript: https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/forensic-focus-international-well-being-study-have-your-say/

📝 Show Notes

Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study - https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/northumbria/forensic-focus-wellbeing-survey

Forensic Focus and Northumbria University Launch International Well-Being Study for Digital Forensic Investigators - https://www.forensicfocus.com/news/forensic-focus-and-northumbria-university-launch-international-well-being-study-for-digital-forensic-investigators/

👉 Follow Forensic Focus

RSS | https://www.forensicfocus.com/feed

YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ForensicFocus

Podcast | https://forensicfocus.com/podcast

LinkedIn Page | https://linkedin.com/company/forensicfocus

LinkedIn Group | https://linkedin.com/groups/693917

X (Twitter) | https://x.com/ForensicFocus

Facebook | https://facebook.com/forensicfocus

Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/forensicfocus.bsky.social

Instagram | https://instagram.com/forensicfocus

TikTok | https://tiktok.com/@forensicfocus

Mastodon | https://dfir.social/@forensicfocus