A/HRC/45/13/Add.3 67. Even though protection programmes may affect the daily life of persons subjected to them, processes must be put in place to properly assess the risks and to exhaust every available resource to ensure that relatives can continue the search for their loved ones and take part in the investigations, while also maintaining their daily routines and sources of income. In this sense, it is critical that the authorities are responsive to the concerns of witnesses, ideally through the establishment of procedures or mechanisms that can facilitate their continued communication with them. 68. The physical and psychological security of the persons involved in the investigations is also important for the purposes of creating an environment in which the relatives and civil society can properly document cases and gather evidence. Although this can facilitate the attainment of results, it should not substitute the international obligations of States in this respect. E. Developing policies aimed at ensuring psychosocial assistance 69. Taking part in the process of an investigation into a case of enforced disappearance can be a very difficult experience for the relatives of a disappeared person. They may learn painful details, such as vivid descriptions of ill-treatment and torture, and visit sites where the victim might be buried or may have been detained. In order to ensure that their participation is a form of reparation rather than a revictimization, it is vital to take into consideration the mental health and psychological welfare of victims and relatives. Some fundamental elements in this respect are: (a) The adequate preparation of the victim’s family in terms of the information that they might be exposed to; (b) Carrying out informative meetings in a setting and manner that reduces stress; (c) Providing psychosocial support using experienced staff who specialize in counselling in relation to cases of enforced disappearance.74 70. In addition, it is critical that the persons in charge of the investigation, particularly lawyers, carry out their work in a sensitive and considerate manner. This can help ensure that victims process their pain, make sense of their loss and rebuild relationships that may have been affected as a consequence of the disappearance. To this end, there is a need for trained professionals who approach their work with empathy, understanding and patience, in order to support the victims throughout the process.75 F. Creating specialized multidisciplinary units for investigation and contextual analysis 71. In the context of acts of enforced disappearance, experience has shown that the creation of specialized units for their investigation and criminal prosecution can be an effective approach and can contribute to better coordination of criminal policy.76 In many instances, the fragmented nature of investigations is one of the main factors hindering their effectiveness. Multidisciplinary investigative units can foster a joint investigation of related cases and provide a comprehensive contextual picture to the various institutions involved.77 Contextual analysis can also be important for the purposes of demonstrating the general or systematic nature of the offence. This comprehensive approach can enable the prioritization of cases and a better use of new investigative techniques, including the analysis of scientific 74 75 76 77 14 See the written contribution of Carlos Beristain to the expert consultation of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Expert Consultation at its 116th session, para. 6 (in Spanish). Available at www.ohchr.org. Ibid., paras. 5 and 13. CED/C/URY/CO/1, para. 22; and CED/C/ARG/CO/1, para. 19. See references to France and Portugal in para. 23 of the annex. A/HRC/19/58/Add.2, paras. 96–97; and CED/C/COL/CO/1, para. 20 (e). In Mexico, the General Law on Enforced Disappearance of Persons, Disappearance Committed by Non-State Actors and the National System of Search of Persons, passed on 17 November 2017, establishes the creation of contextual analysis units (art. 58).