Our paper aims to present three cases of committed suicide in SARS-CoV-2 infection during the quarantine period. We investigated if there is a role for the infection itself in triggering the suicidal act or if it is augmented by other risk factors such as fear, psychosocial stress, lifestyle changes, and social isolation. To this goal, we analyzed the clinical, paraclinical, histopathological, toxicological records, mental health conditions, psychological, social, cultural, and economic aspects in detail. One patient committed suicide at home, by hanging, while the other two during hospitalization in the red zone, within the Sibiu County Emergency Clinical Hospital, hanging and falling from a height, respectively. The autopsy was carried out within the restricted area for COVID-19 in Sibiu County Forensic Medicine Service. Patients’ medical histories were analyzed based on the available medical reports. Additionally, we interviewed a family member, applying the so-called psychological autopsy method, based on open-ended questions and standardized instruments (questionnaire) to point out the motives and behavioral changes that might explain the committed suicide. With this data, we could fulfill a design to elucidate and outline the reasons for the suicidal act. Our findings showed that the mental state deteriorated progressively, both in preexisting depressive and non-depressive backgrounds. Furthermore, we highlight the COVID-19 psychological impact in the suicidal acts. Further on, we reviewed the risk factors presented in the literature that are associated with mental health problems and behavioral changes such as stress, anxiety, depressions, sleep disorders, impulsivity, loneliness.

Background/Objectives: Burnout is a critical concern among healthcare professionals, particularly during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated burnout levels among forensic medicine and pathology personnel at three distinct phases: the early pandemic period (Phase 1—September 2020), the peak of the pandemic (Phase 2—October 2021), and the post-pandemic period (Phase 3—October 2024). Methods: A total of 37 participants employed in forensic medicine and pathology departments completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to assess within-subject differences over time. Normality and sphericity were tested using the Shapiro–Wilk test and Mauchly’s test, with the Greenhouse-Geisser correction. Post hoc Bonferroni-adjusted comparisons identified significant differences, and partial eta squared (η²) was reported for effect sizes. Results: Results showed significant fluctuations in burnout levels across the three phases. Emotional exhaustion and low personal accomplishment peaked during Phase 2, with slight reductions observed in Phase 3. Gender differences were evident, with females reporting higher EE levels and males exhibiting higher depersonalization across all phases. Marital and parental status also influenced burnout levels, with unmarried individuals and those without children showing higher burnout scores. Medical doctors experienced the highest burnout levels among professional roles, while auxiliary staff showed significant challenges in the PA subscale. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic was pivotal in exacerbating burnout levels due to increased workload, crisis decision-making, and emotional toll. Although the sample size is limited, these findings underscore the importance of implementing targeted interventions to mitigate burnout among forensic and pathology personnel, especially during healthcare emergencies. Gender-based differences in burnout suggest the necessity of specific workplace well-being strategies, while the protective role of family status demonstrates the importance of work-life balance policies. The persistence of psychological distress after a medical crisis calls for long-term monitoring and support programs. There is a need for improved workload distribution, peer support networks, and mental health training to build resilience among forensic and pathology personnel.

Background and Objectives: Burnout syndrome is increasingly recognized as a significant occupational hazard among forensic medicine professionals, a population exposed to intense psychological stress and complex work demands. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of burnout, job satisfaction, and unconditional self-acceptance among forensic personnel in Romania and to explore potential predictors and mediators of burnout within this context. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 153 forensic medicine professionals from 31 counties across Romania. Participants completed a battery of standardized instruments, including the Maslach Burnout Inventory—General Survey (MBI-GS), the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS), and the Unconditional Self-Acceptance Questionnaire (USAQ). Cut-off scores for burnout subscales were established using the 75th percentile. Data were analyzed to identify demographic, occupational, and psychological correlates of burnout. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize sample characteristics and burnout prevalence. Group comparisons were made across demographic and professional categories. A mediation model was tested to evaluate whether unconditional self-acceptance mediated the relationship between job satisfaction and burnout. We hypothesized that job satisfaction would be negatively associated with burnout symptoms and that unconditional self-acceptance would mediate this relationship, acting as a protective psychological factor. Results: Approximately a quarter of respondents met the criteria for high total burnout, emotional exhaustion, and professional inefficacy, while cynicism was present in a fifth of participants. Burnout was more prevalent among younger workers, forensic medicine residents, and those working in the capital. Job satisfaction was generally high, but lower in women, younger individuals, and residents. Nearly half of the participants reported low or very low self-acceptance. Mediation analysis revealed that unconditional self-acceptance partially mediated the relationship between job satisfaction and burnout, suggesting a protective psychological mechanism. Conclusions: This study highlights the considerable burden of burnout among forensic medicine professionals in Romania and identifies job dissatisfaction and low self-acceptance as key contributors. Findings underscore the need for targeted interventions aimed at enhancing job satisfaction and emotional resilience, particularly in vulnerable subgroups. Institutional efforts that support mental well-being, foster emotional coping, and improve organizational dynamics are essential to reduce burnout in this high-risk population.

Burnout syndrome is increasingly recognized as a significant occupational health issue, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment. It predominantly arises from chronic work-related stress, but recent research has highlighted the role of genetic and epigenetic factors in determining individual vulnerability to burnout. This review aims to synthesize findings regarding the genetic footprints of burnout, focusing on genes related to stress regulation, including the 5-HTT (serotonin transporter) gene, BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) gene, and NR3C1 (glucocorticoid receptor) gene. Twin studies reveal that burnout is moderately heritable, with genetic factors accounting for 33–36% of the variability in burnout-related traits, such as emotional exhaustion and performance-based self-esteem. However, burnout risk seems highly driven by non-shared environmental factors, such as work stress, lack of social support, and personal coping mechanisms. Specific genetic polymorphisms in the serotonergic system (5-HTT) and HPA axis genes (NR3C1, FKBP5) have been linked to increased burnout susceptibility, particularly in individuals exposed to chronic job strain or early-life stressful situations. Variations in 5-HTT rs6354 and HTR2A rs6313 are associated with altered stress reactivity, while polymorphisms in NR3C1 and FKBP5 contribute to dysregulation of the HPA axis, which influences cortisol secretion patterns in response to stress. Increased methylation in genes like BDNF and SLC6A4 has been observed in individuals with burnout, suggesting that environmental stressors may lead to lasting changes in gene expression, contributing to the syndrome’s development. Studies on telomere length have shown that burnout is associated with accelerated cellular aging, with individuals exhibiting shorter telomeres, particularly during high-stress periods. These findings hold particular relevance for professionals within the forensic and justice systems, including law enforcement, the judiciary, and forensic experts, who operate under chronic, high-stakes stress. We examine how understanding the biological basis of burnout can inform more objective ‘fitness-for-duty’ evaluations and provide a scientific framework for distinguishing physiological exhaustion from professional negligence in legal contexts.