Mirth and Murder: Crime Scene Investigation as a Work Context for Examining Humor Applications

Abstract

Within work settings, humor is used by workers for a wide variety of purposes. This study examines humor applications of a specific type of worker in a unique work context: crime scene investigation. Crime scene investigators examine death and its details. Members of crime scene units observe death much more frequently than other police officers and they encounter extremely graphic and violent sensory and mental images. Within this unique work context, humor resides. This study helps human resource development practitioners understand the purposeful application of humor in a specific work context. This increased understanding can help them to interpret humor applications and to use humor in their workplaces to achieve individual and organizational goals.