Child Porn Cases

[colsanders]

Greetings,

I'm applying for a position with the DOJ as a forensic examiner in their High Tech Crimes unit of the Child Explotation section in DC. I figure this might be a good way into the high tech crime investigation field, and I think it will be rewarding to help put child pornographers away.

My question is - for those of you who have worked child porn cases, how do you deal with it? I can imagine that the nature of the work takes quite a toll on the investigators and examiners who have to sift through all of the content. Its worth it to be putting these guys away and possibly rescuing some abused kids - but I'd like to hear some of your strategies for dealing with the stresses of these investigations.

Thanks very much.

[UncleSugar]

Good question, but I moved it here because it specifically deals with handling the stress of child sex crime cases. Also, this is not exclusive to Fed LE.

Hopefully you will get some good replies.

I only handled a few child sex crime cases with OSI, and it is a bit stressful. However, it is extremely rewarding when you help put one of those people in jail, and ensure they will become a registered sex offender when they get out.

[halide1]

I think that working child crimes is not for everyone. However, it can be rewarding at the end of the day knowing that you are putting away people seeking to harm young children.

As for dealing with it, I never have had a problem. Some people might, but I have just become more and more immune to it.

[universible]

I don't have a lot of CP investigative experience...done my initial rotation when I got to my office...handful of cases. I had one end somewhat badly, and was never given another :D

That said, I use to work internet abuse at a large, well known, internet company....my responsibilities consisted of handling mostly piracy, and CP. I switched jobs at the same company after 2 years and went from internet abuse to the legal compliance department....and guess what? I was the primary NCMEC contact. I saw more CP in my 3 years with that company than most of the guys that work CP cases in my office will ever see.

I'm not sure how I handled it, I just did. I knew that what I was doing was helping on some level, so that made it easier to process all that crap. I talked about it with my wife a lot (who also worked in the same department, so she had to work with some of it too)...and really just made sure I was aware of how I was feeling at all times when I was around it. If I got at all upset, I would take a step back, go for a walk and calm down...that's how I guess I handled it. It also helped that there were other people there who had to view the same stuff, so we were all able to talk about it.

I'm sure there are counseling sessions that you can go to...in fact, I think NCMEC provides some help to people that have to deal with CP. In the sort of the position you're looking into, I'd guess they have a support network in place. Make sure to ask during interviews...find out how they handle those sorts of issues.

Hope that helps,

Ted

[Swat1]

You know, some of the images still make my stomach turn, but I don't have a problem dealing with it. I know that viewing the images is a necessary part of the criminal investigation and really, after awhile you get used to. I really enjoy working the cases and am very rewarded by removing these people from the streets. I work with a great group of guys one of whom frequents these boards and I am sure he will agree that we use alot of dark humor as well. He is our gay child porn expert, so I will defer to him if you have any questions concerning that :D

Swat1*

[MacLeod]

You know, some of the images still make my stomach turn, but I don't have a problem dealing with it. I know that viewing the images is a necessary part of the criminal investigation and really, after awhile you get used to. I really enjoy working the cases and am very rewarded by removing these people from the streets. I work with a great group of guys one of whom frequents these boards and I am sure he will agree that we use alot of dark humor as well. He is our gay child porn expert, so I will defer to him if you have any questions concerning that :D

Swat1*

Remind me to slap you.

Agreed. It can be troubling, but like everything in LE, you have to remain focused and look at these things for what they are....EVIDENCE.

And....HELL YES...it's very rewarding to lock up one of these guys.

[oldfed]

I think that working child crimes is not for everyone. However, it can be rewarding at the end of the day knowing that you are putting away people seeking to harm young children.

As for dealing with it, I never have had a problem. Some people might, but I have just become more and more immune to it.

Having worked CP cases for 10 years I totaly agree. However, rescuing children from abusive situations is the best reward I have ever had.

[Scoop1361]

Hey:

I am a Postal Inspector who works these cases. You need to remember that not all investigators want to work this assignment. You have decided to work this, just think of the good you are going. There is not better feeling that putting the cuffs on someone who sexually exploites children.

Make sure you enjoy the same things in your life still. Keep your work at work do not start to bring your day home with you, your family does not need to know what or how we look at the things we do.

Good luck,

Scoop1316

[colsanders]

All: Thanks very much for your insights. I'm glad that you all have found ways of dealing with these stresses. You all seem (mostly) still sane... :)

With any luck, I'll be meeting some of you eventually.

[DHS K-9]

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