The Your Mind Matters – Supporting The Minds Behind Digital Forensics leaflet, recently distributed at Forensics Europe Expo 2025, is now available to download and share with colleagues.
The leaflet addresses ongoing mental health challenges in digital forensics and outlines steps individuals and organisations can take to better support investigator well-being. Drawing on recent research by our Well-Being Lead Paul Gullon-Scott, it highlights that up to 65% of digital forensic professionals experience significant psychological distress — a figure that underscores the urgent need for structured, proactive support within the profession.
Mental Health in Digital Forensics
Digital forensic investigators are regularly exposed to distressing material and high-pressure workloads, leading to significant psychological distress. Despite this, most organisations still lack formal or proactive support structures.
Untreated mental health issues can lead to burnout, secondary traumatic stress, PTSD, and emotional exhaustion — not only affecting individuals but also increasing operational risk through cognitive fatigue, investigative error, and high staff turnover.
Key Risks and Recommended Actions
Your Mind Matters outlines the personal, organisational, and investigative consequences of poor mental health in digital forensics. It identifies common symptoms and risk factors while encouraging action on multiple levels:
- Individuals are encouraged to seek support, stay informed, and connect with others
- Organisations are urged to develop structured well-being frameworks and reduce stigma
- The broader DFIR community is invited to raise awareness and share experiences
The leaflet also includes guidance on where to find resources, how to subscribe for updates, and how to get involved in the conversation around well-being in digital forensics.
Forensic Focus’s Commitment to Investigator Well-Being
This leaflet is part of Forensic Focus’s broader commitment to improving mental health support across the DFIR profession. We are actively raising awareness of the challenges faced by digital forensic investigators and advocating for better standards within the field. Our well-being initiative includes publishing articles and original research on mental health in DFIR and sharing real-world experiences through our podcast and interviews.
We believe addressing investigator well-being is essential for the sustainability and effectiveness of the profession — and that change must be collective, informed, and ongoing.
Download and Learn More
The leaflet is now available to download below. You can also explore additional well-being resources, subscribe to the Forensic Focus newsletter, or contact our Well-Being Lead, Paul Gullon-Scott, in confidence at paul.gullon-scott@forensicfocus.com.
