What happens when you’re standing at a “routine” crime scene… and don’t realize you’re in the middle of an active shooter encounter?

In this powerful Mental Health Awareness series episode, we're taking you back to when CSI Supervisor Letty Ramirez shared the moment her career as well as her understanding of safety, trauma, and survival changed forever.

While processing what appeared to be a standard scene, Letty suddenly found herself facing a suspect with a gun pointed directly at her. In the chaos that followed, she didn’t even realize she had survived an active shooting until after the scene was secured.

Letty walks us through the immediate aftermath, the emotional denial, the identity struggle of “I’m fine” vs. what was actually happening internally, and the delayed realization that she was experiencing symptoms of PTSD. She also shares how therapy, peer support, and eventually EMDR helped her begin processing the trauma she once pushed down to stay “one of the boys.”

At some point, coping stops being enough.

In Part 2 of our Mental Health Awareness Month kickoff, Matt Davis continues his story. This time focusing on what happens after years of exposure to trauma in forensic work begin to accumulate.

He opens up about burnout, the limits of informal coping strategies, and the realization that processing trauma requires more than just pushing through it. Matt also shares his experience with counseling and EMDR therapy, and how structured mental health support changed the way he processes his career experiences.

Key topics include:

• Recognizing burnout in forensic professionals
• When coping mechanisms stop working
• The role of counseling in trauma processing
• EMDR therapy and trauma reprocessing
• Building long-term mental health support systems
• Reframing what it means to “handle the job”

This is where the conversation shifts: from surviving the work to learning how to sustain a career in it.

Some scenes don’t stay locked away in the case folder. They follow you.

In the kickoff episode of our Mental Health Awareness Month series, we sit down with Matt Davis, a forensic professional whose career includes crime scene investigation, latent print examination, and supervision.

Matt walks us through the early moments in his career that shaped everything that came after... mass casualty events, high-risk scenes with significant loss of life, and child death investigations that left lasting impressions.

Key topics include:

• Early exposure to mass casualty scenes
• Working large-scale, high-stress forensic incidents
• Child death investigations and emotional impact
• The beginning stages of cumulative trauma in forensics
• What professionals carry home from the scene

This episode sets the foundation for understanding why mental health in forensic science is not optional, it's necessary.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and in this episode, we’re kicking off a series of conversations that have been part of our mission since the very beginning.

Mental health in forensics isn’t something we started talking about recently. It’s been a core part of our Forensic Supervision training since 2019, long before it became a more visible topic at conferences or in professional development spaces.

At the time, these conversations weren’t always easy to have. And in many cases, they were avoided altogether.

But things are starting to shift.

We’re seeing more awareness, more research, and more open discussions about the realities of working in this field. And while that’s progress, there’s still a gap between talking about mental health and truly understanding what it looks like in forensic science.

Because the impact of this work isn’t always obvious.

It’s not just what you experience directly - it’s what you see, document, analyze, and carry with you long after the work is done.

Over time, that adds up.

In this episode, we’re setting the stage for a month of revisiting some of the most impactful conversations we’ve had on this podcast... stories and perspectives that reflect the real challenges forensic professionals face when it comes to stress, burnout, and long-term well-being.

If you’ve been in this field for any length of time, chances are you’ve seen or experienced some of this yourself.

And if you have a perspective or experience you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you as we continue to create space for these conversations.

At some point in your forensic career, the adrenaline fades.

You start to ask yourself...

Why doesn't this feel the same?

Why am I not as energized?

Do I need to leave the field?

In this episode, we break down the warning signs, the psychology behind mid-career dissatisfaction, and practical steps to reignite growth without impulsively leaving the field.

Whether you’re navigating this personally or leading a team, this conversation matters.

AI is showing up in forensic science whether we feel ready for it or not.

In this episode, we have an honest conversation about AI in forensic science and why it creates so much discomfort inside forensic units. Not because forensic professionals are resistant to change, but because we care deeply about credibility, ethics, and defending our work in court.

We talk about where AI is already embedded in our workflows, why it feels different this time, and how fear often comes from experience, not ignorance. We also explore how our teams are already using AI without realizing it, where the real risks actually are, and how leadership can approach this shift without alienating the people doing the work.

This episode isn’t about hype or selling tools. It’s about helping our units think clearly, ethically, and confidently about technology that isn’t going away.

If you’ve been uneasy about AI but haven’t quite figured out why, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we share our personal experiences with burnout in forensic careers and how we learned the hard way that boundaries aren’t just optional—they’re essential. From missed lunches and sleepless nights to the way overworking can strain your relationships and your health, we talk honestly about the challenges we’ve faced and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

We also break down practical, actionable strategies that we use to protect our time, our energy, and our professional effectiveness. Whether it’s using PTO, leaving work on time, stopping weekend emails, or navigating court obligations, we give you tips you can implement immediately.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted, stretched too thin, or worried that saying “no” would make you less valuable, this episode is for you. Our goal is simple: help you sustain your forensic career without losing yourself in the process.

🎧 Ready to dig deeper? Subscribe to the podcast! Tune in to the latest episodes and let’s tackle the untold stories of forensics together.

👉 Join Our Community:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our exclusive community for Forensic Professionals here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

(psstttt... it's free and NOT on a social media platform)

• Follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

📚 Resources for Forensic Professionals:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Explore our library of eCourses for forensic professionals.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join The Vault⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Forensic Supervision Masterclass⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Field Training Officer (FTO) Program Development⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠All You Need to Prepare for Forensic Accreditation⁠⁠⁠⁠

Our forensic careers ask a lot of us—emotionally, mentally, and personally. In this episode, we break down how burnout develops in forensic work, why so many of us don’t recognize it until it’s already impacting our lives, and what sustainable career boundaries actually look like. We share real-world insight and practical strategies to help prevent burnout while continuing to do work that matters.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why burnout in forensic work often goes unnoticed until it’s already costing us

• How seeing the entire year at once changes how you value your time

• Why planning mini-adventures isn’t indulgent—it’s protective

• How scheduling time off in advance reduces guilt, anxiety, and people-pleasing

• Ways intentional planning helps us say no (or pause) to things that hijack our time

🎧 Ready to dig deeper? Subscribe to the podcast! Tune in to the latest episodes and let’s tackle the untold stories of forensics together.

👉 Join Our Community:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our exclusive community for Forensic Professionals here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

(psstttt... it's free and NOT on a social media platform)

• Follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

📚 Resources for Forensic Professionals:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Explore our library of eCourses for forensic professionals.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join The Vault⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Forensic Supervision Masterclass⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Field Training Officer (FTO) Program Development⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠All You Need to Prepare for Forensic Accreditation⁠⁠⁠

This episode, we get personal. We reflect on our year in forensic business and professional life, sharing what we learned about sustainable goal setting, balancing personal health, and building a thriving career without burning out.

From pivoting products to reaching new audiences, tackling overwhelming projects, and learning the value of automation, we walk you through our real-life experiences with goal setting for forensic professionals.

We discuss:

• How listening to customers and adapting transformed our business

• The importance of protecting our health and personal life while growing professionally

• Strategies for intentional, realistic goal setting that actually works

• The projects and collaborations we’re focusing on in 2026, and how we’re keeping them sustainable

Whether you’re running a forensic team, teaching students, or managing your own forensic career, you’ll get actionable insights on how we structure our goals, reflect on our wins and challenges, and create a business and life that lasts.

Join us as we share our journey, our mistakes, and our strategies — because sustainable success is possible when you protect what matters most.

🎧 Ready to dig deeper? Subscribe to the podcast! Tune in to the latest episodes and let’s tackle the untold stories of forensics together.

👉 Join Our Community:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our exclusive community for Forensic Professionals here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

(psstttt... it's free and NOT on a social media platform)

• Follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

📚 Resources for Forensic Professionals:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Explore our library of eCourses for forensic professionals.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join The Vault⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Forensic Supervision Masterclass⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Field Training Officer (FTO) Program Development⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠All You Need to Prepare for Forensic Accreditation⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the Forensic Supervisor Success Summit, we dive into the crucial topic of forensic team resiliency with expert Renee Souza. Learn why building resilience is essential for forensic professionals who face trauma and stress daily—and how supervisors can support their teams to bounce back stronger.

From emotional regulation to mental health days and practical coping strategies, discover actionable tools to boost your team’s productivity and well-being. Whether you’re a seasoned forensic supervisor or new to leadership, this episode is packed with insights to help your team thrive under pressure.

Want more? This full presentation—and 20 more like it—are available in the 2024 Forensic Supervisor Success Summit All-Access Pass, now included inside The Vault for just $29/month.

Links from today's episode:

Get this presentation inside The Vault: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gapscience.com/the-vault/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Explore Versaterm Mindbase and book a demo: https://www.versaterm.com/solution/mindbase/

🎧 Ready to dig deeper? Subscribe to the podcast! Tune in to the latest episodes and let’s tackle the untold stories of forensics together.

👉 Join Our Community:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our exclusive community for Forensic Professionals here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

(psstttt... it's free and NOT on a social media platform)

• Follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

📚 Resources for Forensic Professionals:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Explore our library of eCourses for forensic professionals.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join The Vault⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Forensic Supervision Masterclass⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Field Training Officer (FTO) Program Development⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠All You Need to Prepare for Forensic Accreditation⁠⁠⁠⁠