{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,29]],"date-time":"2026-05-29T05:05:20Z","timestamp":1780031120835,"version":"3.53.1"},"reference-count":57,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,29]],"date-time":"2026-05-29T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1780012800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Public Health"],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Introduction<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Following the Jeju Air crash in Muan (South Korea) on December 29, 2024, resulting in 179 fatalities, forensic investigators (FIs) were exposed to traumatic scenes while performing disaster victim identification (DVI) procedures. FIs are known to be at significant risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues due to their routine exposure to traumatic scenes. Despite its clinical significance, there remains a paucity of empirical research quantitatively evaluating the psychological ramifications of DVI procedures and associated occupational stressors on FIs.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Therefore, the current cross-sectional survey was conducted among a total of 735 FIs, including 224 individuals who had been engaged in the Jeju Air crash site 9\u202fmonths prior to the study. Mental health outcomes, including probable PTSD (IES-R-K defined), depression (PHQ-9 defined), anxiety (GAD-7 defined), alcohol use (AUDIT-C defined), and suicide risk (MHS: S defined), were evaluated. We used Chi-square tests to compare symptom prevalence between deployed and non-deployed FIs, and applied correlation and adjusted logistic regression analyses to identify MFI site-specific factors associated with probable PTSD.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Within the entire sample, the prevalence of probable PTSD and overall mental disorders reached 10.2% [95% CI: (8.0, 12.4)] and 19.7% [95% CI: (16.9, 22.6)]. Engaged FIs experienced significantly more frequent traumatic events and a higher probable PTSD prevalence [15.2, 95% CI: (10.5, 19.9)]. Traumatic experiences on scenes during DVI procedures, identification-related distress, and adverse working conditions were identified as factors significantly associated with probable PTSD.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Discussion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>These results offer critical insights into the mental health status and related site-specific factors in disaster contexts. The study supports the implementation of trauma-informed and evidence-based mental health initiatives to protect FIs exposed to MFIs.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1819655","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,29]],"date-time":"2026-05-29T04:52:00Z","timestamp":1780030320000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["The psychological health of forensic investigators following mass fatality incidents: a cross-sectional study 9\u202fmonths after the Jeju Air crash in South Korea"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"14","author":[{"given":"Euntaek","family":"Hong","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Psychology, Korea University","place":["Seoul, Republic of Korea"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Subin","family":"Park","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Psychology, Korea University","place":["Seoul, Republic of Korea"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Gaeun","family":"Son","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Psychology, Korea University","place":["Seoul, Republic of Korea"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Haeyoun","family":"Choi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Psychology, Chungbuk National University","place":["Cheongju, Republic of Korea"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Kee-Hong","family":"Choi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Psychology, Korea University","place":["Seoul, Republic of Korea"]},{"name":"Korea University Mind Health Institute","place":["Seoul, Republic of Korea"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,29]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","author":"Lee","year":"2025"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"55","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev.publhealth.28.021406.144037","article-title":"First responders: mental health consequences of natural and human-made disasters for public health and public safety workers","volume":"28","author":"Benedek","year":"2007","journal-title":"Annu Rev Public Health"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2395113","DOI":"10.1080\/20008066.2024.2395113","article-title":"\u2018I\u2019ve got no PPE to protect my mind\u2019: understanding the needs and experiences of first responders exposed to trauma in the workplace","volume":"15","author":"Cogan","year":"2024","journal-title":"Eur J Psychotraumatol"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"7055","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph20227055","article-title":"Occupation-induced fatigue and impacts on emergency first responders: a systematic review","volume":"20","author":"Marvin","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"353","DOI":"10.1176\/ajp.156.3.353","article-title":"Posttraumatic stress disorder and identification in disaster workers","volume":"156","author":"Ursano","year":"1999","journal-title":"Am J Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1370","DOI":"10.1176\/appi.ajp.161.8.1370","article-title":"Acute stress disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression in disaster or rescue workers","volume":"161","author":"Fullerton","year":"2004","journal-title":"Am J Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1043","DOI":"10.4103\/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_231_24","article-title":"The psychological impact of disaster on first responders in the aftermath of Bahanaga train tragedy: a mixed methods approach","volume":"66","author":"Ravan","year":"2024","journal-title":"Indian J Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1248","DOI":"10.1289\/ehp.11164","article-title":"Enduring mental health morbidity and social function impairment in world trade center rescue, recovery, and cleanup workers: the psychological dimension of an environmental health disaster","volume":"116","author":"Stellman","year":"2008","journal-title":"Environ Health Perspect"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2260","DOI":"10.1017\/S0033291717000708","article-title":"Posttraumatic stress disorder in the world mental health surveys","volume":"47","author":"Koenen","year":"2017","journal-title":"Psychol Med"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1383","DOI":"10.1176\/appi.ps.54.10.1383","article-title":"Acute stress disorder, alcohol use, and perception of safety among hospital staff after the sniper attacks","volume":"54","author":"Grieger","year":"2003","journal-title":"Psychiatr Serv"},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"53","DOI":"10.1080\/19409044.2012.728680","article-title":"Crime scene examiners and volume crime investigations: an empirical study of perception and practice","volume":"3","author":"Ludwig","year":"2012","journal-title":"Forensic Sci Policy Manag"},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"239","DOI":"10.1093\/occmed\/kqy030","article-title":"Occupational stress and coping mechanisms in crime scene personnel","volume":"68","author":"Salinas","year":"2018","journal-title":"Occup Med (Lond)"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"310","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fsisyn.2020.10.001","article-title":"Trauma and coping mechanisms exhibited by forensic science practitioners: a literature review","volume":"2","author":"Slack","year":"2020","journal-title":"Forensic Sci Int Synerg"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1444","DOI":"10.1111\/1556-4029.14044","article-title":"PTSD symptoms experienced and coping tactics used by crime scene investigators in the United States","volume":"64","author":"Rosansky","year":"2019","journal-title":"J Forensic Sci"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1259","DOI":"10.1111\/1556-4029.15292","article-title":"Occupational exposure to traumatic evidence and posttraumatic stress symptoms in forensic science professionals: prevalence and patterns","volume":"68","author":"Schiro","year":"2023","journal-title":"J Forensic Sci"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"78","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jflm.2007.04.007","article-title":"Mechanism and strategies for preventing post-traumatic stress disorder in forensic workers responding to mass fatality incidents","volume":"15","author":"Brondolo","year":"2008","journal-title":"J Forensic Leg Med"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"14","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jemermed.2025.07.017","article-title":"Residue and resilience: understanding and addressing post-traumatic stress disorder, compassion fatigue, moral injury, and burnout in emergency medicine","volume":"77","author":"Lowe","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Emerg Med"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"396","DOI":"10.1097\/00005053-199006000-00010","article-title":"The nature of a traumatic stressor: handling dead bodies","volume":"178","author":"Ursano","year":"1990","journal-title":"J Nerv Ment Dis"},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"58","DOI":"10.1186\/s12888-015-0440-y","article-title":"Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression prevalence and associated risk factors among local disaster relief and reconstruction workers fourteen months after the great East Japan earthquake: a cross-sectional study","volume":"15","author":"Sakuma","year":"2015","journal-title":"BMC Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1959116","DOI":"10.1080\/20008198.2021.1959116","article-title":"Understanding the psychological impacts of responding to a terrorist incident","volume":"12","author":"Skryabina","year":"2021","journal-title":"Eur J Psychotraumatol"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1724579","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1724579","article-title":"Crime scene examiners' mental health: a scoping review","volume":"16","author":"Ben Salah","year":"2026","journal-title":"Front Psychol"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"315","DOI":"10.29158\/jaapl.200025-20","article-title":"Vicarious trauma and PTSD in forensic mental health professionals","volume":"48","author":"Bradford","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Am Acad Psychiatry Law"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"8","DOI":"10.1111\/1556-4029.70205","article-title":"Addressing the mental health needs of non-sworn crime scene investigators: vicarious trauma and the consequences of structural neglect","volume":"71","author":"Nolan","year":"2026","journal-title":"J Forensic Sci"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1453","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(07)61602-X","article-title":"The strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies","volume":"370","author":"Von Elm","year":"2007","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"196","DOI":"10.20297\/jsci.2023.17.3.196","article-title":"Post-traumatic stress disorder among forensic investigators and its moderating effects: focusing on social support, resilience, self-disclosure, and organizational effectiveness","volume":"17","author":"Kim","year":"2023","journal-title":"J Sci Crim Investig"},{"key":"ref26","volume-title":"Academic Research Contract for Psychological Intervention Protocols for Forensic Investigators Deployed to Major Disasters and Accidents","author":"Choi","year":"2025"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"209","DOI":"10.1097\/00006842-197905000-00004","article-title":"Impact of event scale: a measure of subjective stress","volume":"41","author":"Horowitz","year":"1979","journal-title":"Biopsychosoc Sci Med"},{"key":"ref28","volume-title":"Assessing Psychological Trauma and PTSD: A Handbook for Practitioners","author":"Weiss","year":"1997"},{"key":"ref29","first-page":"303","article-title":"A study on reliability and validity of the Korean version of impact of event scale-revised","volume":"44","author":"Eun","year":"2005","journal-title":"J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc"},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"606","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x","article-title":"The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure","volume":"16","author":"Kroenke","year":"2001","journal-title":"J Gen Intern Med"},{"key":"ref31","first-page":"119","article-title":"Reliability and validity of the Korean version of the patient health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)","volume":"6","author":"Park","year":"2010","journal-title":"Anxiety Mood"},{"key":"ref32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1092","DOI":"10.1001\/archinte.166.10.1092","article-title":"A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7","volume":"166","author":"Spitzer","year":"2006","journal-title":"Arch Intern Med"},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"59","DOI":"10.1016\/j.yebeh.2014.04.005","article-title":"Validation of the generalized anxiety disorder-7 in people with epilepsy: a MEPSY study","volume":"35","author":"Seo","year":"2014","journal-title":"Epilepsy Behav"},{"key":"ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"279","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jad.2020.07.037","article-title":"The ultra brief checklist for suicidality","volume":"276","author":"Yoon","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Affect Disord"},{"key":"ref35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1789","DOI":"10.1001\/archinte.158.16.1789","article-title":"The AUDIT alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C): an effective brief screening test for problem drinking","volume":"158","author":"Bush","year":"1998","journal-title":"Arch Intern Med"},{"key":"ref36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"791","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1360-0443.1993.tb02093.x","article-title":"Development of the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT): WHO collaborative project on early detection of persons with harmful alcohol consumption-II","volume":"88","author":"Saunders","year":"1993","journal-title":"Addiction"},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"695","DOI":"10.4082\/kjfm.2009.30.9.695","article-title":"Performance of the AUDIT alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C) and AUDIT-K question 3 alone in screening for problem drinking","volume":"30","author":"Seong","year":"2009","journal-title":"Korean J Fam Med"},{"key":"ref38","volume-title":"Applied Linear Statistical Models","author":"Kutner","year":"2005"},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1002\/9781118548387","volume-title":"Applied Logistic Regression","author":"Hosmer","year":"2013"},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"227","DOI":"10.4172\/2161-1165.1000227","article-title":"Multicollinearity in regression analyses conducted in epidemiologic studies","volume":"6","author":"Vatcheva","year":"2016","journal-title":"Epidemiology (Sunnyvale)"},{"key":"ref41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1373","DOI":"10.1016\/S0895-4356(96)00236-3","article-title":"A simulation study of the number of events per variable in logistic regression analysis","volume":"49","author":"Peduzzi","year":"1996","journal-title":"J Clin Epidemiol"},{"key":"ref42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"710","DOI":"10.1093\/aje\/kwk052","article-title":"Relaxing the rule of ten events per variable in logistic and cox regression","volume":"165","author":"Vittinghoff","year":"2007","journal-title":"Am J Epidemiol"},{"key":"ref43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"102622","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cpr.2025.102622","article-title":"Global PTSD prevalence among active first responders and trends over recent years: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"120","author":"Arena","year":"2025","journal-title":"Clin Psychol Rev"},{"key":"ref44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"191","DOI":"10.1177\/0032258x231151996","article-title":"The role of psychological surveillance in reducing harm and building resilience in police forensic investigators","volume":"97","author":"Tehrani","year":"2024","journal-title":"Police J"},{"key":"ref45","author":"Kim","year":"2025"},{"key":"ref46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"134","DOI":"10.1016\/j.comppsych.2016.12.003","article-title":"Cumulative exposure to work-related traumatic events and current post-traumatic stress disorder in new York City\u2019s first responders","volume":"74","author":"Geronazzo-Alman","year":"2017","journal-title":"Compr Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1580","DOI":"10.1177\/0093854817716959","article-title":"Mental resilience of crime scene investigators: how police officers perceive and cope with the impact of demanding work situations","volume":"44","author":"Sollie","year":"2017","journal-title":"Crim Justice Behav"},{"key":"ref48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1196\/annals.1364.001","article-title":"Predictors of posttraumatic stress in police and other first responders","volume":"1071","author":"Marmar","year":"2006","journal-title":"Ann N Y Acad Sci"},{"key":"ref49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1421","DOI":"10.1037\/rev0000394","article-title":"Mood-congruent memory revisited","volume":"130","author":"Faul","year":"2023","journal-title":"Psychol Rev"},{"key":"ref50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1999","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2017.01999","article-title":"The role of moral suffering (moral distress and moral injury) in police compassion fatigue and PTSD: an unexplored topic","volume":"8","author":"Papazoglou","year":"2017","journal-title":"Front Psychol"},{"key":"ref51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.4324\/9780203777381","volume-title":"Compassion Fatigue: Coping with Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder in those who treat the Traumatized","author":"Figley","year":"2013"},{"key":"ref52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e372","DOI":"10.1097\/JOM.0000000000002829","article-title":"Adaptive and maladaptive cognitive-emotional strategies associated with PTSD in first responders: a cross-sectional study","volume":"65","author":"Tan","year":"2023","journal-title":"J Occup Environ Med"},{"key":"ref53","volume-title":"APA Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Adults","year":"2025"},{"key":"ref54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"824","DOI":"10.1037\/amp0001253","article-title":"Evidence-based practice in psychology: context, guidelines, and action","volume":"79","author":"Melchert","year":"2024","journal-title":"Am Psychol"},{"key":"ref55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.1192\/bjp.186.1.11","article-title":"Stepped care in psychological therapies: access, effectiveness and efficiency: narrative literature review","volume":"186","author":"Bower","year":"2005","journal-title":"Br J Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref56","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"193","DOI":"10.1037\/pro0000192","article-title":"First responder mental healthcare: evidence-based prevention, postvention, and treatment","volume":"49","author":"Lanza","year":"2018","journal-title":"Prof Psychol Res Pract"},{"key":"ref57","volume-title":"Practical Guide for Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach SAMHSA Publication No PEP23-06-05-005. National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory,","year":"2023"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Public Health"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1819655\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,29]],"date-time":"2026-05-29T04:52:20Z","timestamp":1780030340000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1819655\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,29]]},"references-count":57,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1819655"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1819655","relation":{},"ISSN":["2296-2565"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2296-2565","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,29]]},"article-number":"1819655"}}