Dealing with the stress of criminal investigation: "It gets to you"

Aside from the daily stresses of patrol policing, special pressures may be experienced by specially assigned homicide or sex-crimes officers who investigate particularly brutal crimes, multiple murders, serial killings or crimes against children. Stereotypes of the "hardboiled" detective, from inside and outside the law enforcement profession, have contributed to the underrecognition and undertreatment of chronic stress, critical incident stress and posttraumatic stress syndromes in this group. As described by retired Florida Department of Law Enforcement Director Dr. James Sewell, during a high-profile criminal investigation, the socially and culturally expected protective role of the police officer becomes highlighted at the same time as their responsibilities as public servants who protect individual rights are compounded by departmental and societal pressure to solve the crime.

Stresses of murder investigations
A multiple- or serial-murder investigation forces the officer to confront stressors directly related to his or her projected image of unwavering strength and determination, ability to respond competently and dispassionately to crises, and willingness to place the needs and demands of the public above his or her personal feelings. This is magnified in high-profile cases with greater media attention. The sheer magnitude and shock effect of many mass-murder scenes and the violence, mutilation and sadistic brutality associated with many serial killings - especially those involving children - often exceed the defense mechanisms and coping abilities of even the most jaded investigator. Revulsion may be tinged with rage when innocent victims or fellow officers have been killed or injured, and the murderer seems to be mocking law enforcement's attempts to capture and prosecute him.

By Andrew Hawkes

Officers often use the term "hidden compartments" when referring to large loads of narcotics hidden inside of vehicles.  The term is rather generic and I like to break the term down into more specifics.  Hidden compartments can encompass both Hidden NATURAL compartments, meaning areas of the vehicle that are hidden from the naked eye but are a natural part of the manufactured vehicle.  The second type of hidden compartment would of course be the Hidden FALSE compartment, the compartment that is specifically built into the vehicle to hide contraband. 

Both Natural and False compartments can be utilized by the drug trafficker effectively, and often there is no difference as to which one is more successful.  As a highly trained drug interdiction officer, you can successfully locate both types of compartments.