The trauma and coping in homicide and sexual offences and juvenile crime criminal investigatorsPavšič Mrevlje, Tinkara (Avtor) police workpsychologytraumacopingcriminal investigatorsPurpose: The study aims to contribute to research on trauma among police officers. The paper presents selected results of a larger study about trauma and coping among two specific police groups: criminal investigators from the Homicide and Sexual Offences (HSO) section as well as the Juvenile Crime (JC) section. Findings for each group are presented and differences analysed. Design/Methods/Approach: All 56 criminal investigators from HSO and JC sections within the Republic of Slovenia were asked to participate. The response rate was high: 92.59% (n = 25) for the HSO and 82.14% (n = 23) for the JC groups. The participants signed an informed consent and completed the questionnaires in a group setting in work hours. They were later given information about the individual results if they wished. Findings: The results for both groups show a low level of posttraumatic symptomatology that is linked to specific, mostly avoidance coping mechanisms. Specific work situations related to higher posttraumatic symptoms were identified for each participant group. Research Limitations / Implications: While the response rate was high, the small size of the two groups limits possibilities of statistical analysis, especially since the data are mainly not normally distributed. Practical Implications: A cross-sectional assessment of potential posttraumatic symptomatology can suggest preventive and possibly curative programmes for criminal investigators able to improve and contribute to more effective police work. Originality/Value: This is the first study in Slovenia to address the narrow field of trauma and coping among specific police groups.20172020-04-15 16:36:40Znanstveno delo76089sl