Health and Safety

Question 1

List the four different types of hazards that can be encountered on the job.

Answer 1

Chemical
Biological
Physical
Psychological

Question 2

What is required of any sample suspected of containing opioids?

Answer 2

Adequate preparation, protecting and care in handling.

Question 3

What does proper care of overdose victims and handling of suspected drug samples require?

Answer 3

Maintaining an awareness of:
Possible presence of opioids
Protocols and training in the use of personal protective equipment
Recognition of opioid toxicity and administration of naloxone.

Question 4

What is naloxone?

Answer 4

An opioid antagonist

Question 5

Generally, how does Naloxone work?

Answer 5

Attaches to opioid receptors, reverses and blocks the effects

Question 6

Describe the symptoms that Naloxone reverses.

Answer 6

Opioids as respiratory depressants
Can quickly restore normal breathing to someone whose breathing has slowed or stopped due to opioids

Question 7

What effect does Naloxone have on individuals who do not have opioids in their system?

Answer 7

No effectH

Question 8

How is Naloxone administered?

Answer 8

Injection or nasal spray

Question 9

What are the four safety points for Carfentanil for first responders?

Answer 9

Universal precautions
Be aware of signs of exposure
Seek immediate medical attention
Be ready to address ventilation issues in the event of exposure

Question 10

What is the general submission guideline for CFS?

Answer 10

Always apply Universal Biohazard Safety Precautions when handling all evidence, especially is there is a possibility of body fluids present. Additional info can be included in synopsis if known (e.g., Hep-C +)

Question 11

What does CFS require of submissions that mat contain or have been exposed to carfentanil or other potent opioids?

Answer 11

Must be identified in the submission synopsis and on packaging

Question 12

Outline the 4-step process submitters must use to identify items that may have been exposed to potent opioid drugs.

Answer 12

1. Type POSSIBLE OPIOID HAZARD IDENTIFIED at the beginning of synopsis
2. Identify the exhibit(s) that may have been exposed by adding POSSIBLE OPIOID HAZARD at the end of the item description
3. Label the packaging and outer container with POSSIBLE OPIOID HAZARD
4. For vehicles, place sign on outside stating POSSIBLE OPIOID HAZARD.

Question 13

When did autopsy safety become more of a consideration and why?

Answer 13

in 1980s when HIV infections appeared

Question 14

Give examples of typical pathology protection (9)

Answer 14

Double gloving
Eye protection
Cap
Gown
Mask
Plastic apron
Sleeve covers
Shoe covers
Cut-resistant stainless steel mesh or fabric gloves

Question 15

What do cut-resistant stainless steel mesh or fabric gloves protect againts?

Answer 15

Scalpel injury but not needle puncture.

Question 16

List the categories of potential injuries to pathologists. (7)

Answer 16

Mechanical injury
Sharp force injury
Electrical shock
Chemical exposure
Radiation exposure
Infection
Muscle-skeletal

Question 17

Give example of health issues related to stress.

Answer 17

Burnout
Compassion fatigue
Vicarious trauma
Secondary traumatic stress
PTSD

Question 18

What is burnout?

Answer 18

A gradual decrease in work engagement because of chronic exposure to stressful situations

Question 19

Does burnout require trauma exposure?

Answer 19

No

Question 20

Give examples of workplace stressors that can lead to burnout.

Answer 20

High caseload
Limited resources
Lack of job control, availability of feedback, learning opportunities

Question 21

Give examples of stress specific to forensic scientists (8)

Answer 21

Pressure to complete training and successfully qualify
Managing caseload and other duties
Working with clients and stakeholders
Testifying in court and dealing with the logistics
Stress from always being observed and monitored
Pressure from public and organizational expectations
Dealing with errors
Impact on your mental health from the challenges of the work type

Question 22

What is compassion fatigue?

Answer 22

The profound emotional and physical erosion that takes place when helpers are unable to refuel and regenerate

Question 23

How does compassion fatigue develop?

Answer 23

Via process of empathizing with clients/victims’ emotional pain and suffering without the presence of direct or indirect trauma exposure.

Question 24

When was vicarious trauma coined?

Answer 24

1995

Question 25

What is vicarious trauma?

Answer 25

The significant shift in worldview that occurs in helping professionals when they work with individuals who have experienced trauma.

Question 26

How can vicarious trauma develop?

Answer 26

When a practitioner is exposed to the retelling of a traumatic event by a client or by first responders.

Question 27

Give examples of symptoms of vicarious trauma

Answer 27

Disturbances in mood, self-identity, spirituality, and cognitive frame of reference

Question 28

Describe secondary traumatic stress

Answer 28

A concept developed in early 90s to understand why service providers seemed to be exhibiting symptoms similar to PTSD without having necessarily been exposed to direct trauma

Question 29

What is the onset of secondary trauma stress?

Answer 29

Acute onset

Question 30

What is PTSD?

Answer 30

A mental health condition that is triggered by a traumatic event - either by experiencing it or witnessing it

Question 31

Give examples of PTSD symptoms

Answer 31

Flashbacks Nightmares Severe anxiety Uncontrollable thoughts about the event

Question 32

Give examples of risk factors for PTSD (5)

Answer 32

Having a job that increases your risk of being exposed to traumatic events Having experienced other trauma earlier in life Having other mental health problems Having problems with substance misuse Lacking a good support system

Question 33

What did the 2019 Needs Assessment for forensic practitioners identify as needs?

Answer 33

Resources to address workforce stress and vicarious trauma associated with the forensic science work environment

Question 34

What did the 2019 Needs Assessment identify as challenges to those in the forensic science disciplines?

Answer 34

Increasing workloads, backlogs and stressful work environments with few tools developed specifically for forensic science personnel

Question 35

What is compassion satisfaction?

Answer 35

Pleasure derived from work, including feeling positively about the meaningfulness of one's contribution to the work and/or society.

Question 36

What is vicarious resilience?

Answer 36

Process of learning about overcoming adversity from a trauma survivor and the resulting positive transformation and empowerment experienced through witnessing the survivor's empathy and interactions

Question 37

What is vicarious transformation?

Answer 37

An ongoing, intentional process that results in a deepened sense of connection with others, a greater appreciation in one's life, and a greater sense of hope and meaning.