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Forensic Epidemiology - Program Details
Background
The events of fall 2001, including the anthrax attacks and the thousands
of biologic threats and hoaxes, required law enforcement, other public safety,
and public health agencies to work together in ways without precedent.
The concurrent responses to such threats affirmed the many similarities
in the goals and investigative methods used by both law enforcement and
public health officials but also highlighted salient differences in the
different disciplines' approaches. To foster improved understanding
of the investigative goals and methods specific to each discipline and to
strengthen interdisciplinary collaborative effectiveness in response to
future attacks involving biological agents, in the spring of 2002 the Public
Health Law Program of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) in partnership with other agencies and organizations undertook the
development of a module for the joint training of law enforcement and public
health officials. This module has been referred to frequently as the
"Forensic Epidemiology" course.
The CDC's goal was to develop this training module as a self-contained
instructional package that can be used in any jurisdiction in the United
States. The instructional module was piloted in three sites (Jacksonville,
Florida [December 3-4, 2002], Baltimore [December 17-18, 2002], and Los
Angeles [January 15-16, 2003]). Through these pilots, the materials
were refined and an instructional package in the form of a Course Manager's
Guide was made available for national use in spring 2003. The Course
Manager's Guide is free for all United States jurisdictions.
Currently, Forensic Epidemiology is in a national dissemination mode.
By the end of September 2004, the course had been implemented in 165 sessions
in 42 states or territories. Technical assistance for national dissemination
and delivery of Forensic Epidemiology is available to all jurisdictions.
For more information on training, the Course Manager's Guide, and technical
assistance, please see the program details listed below.
Program Details
Partners
Criminal and
Epidemiological Investigation Handbook. The Federal Bureau of
Investigation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US
Department of Justice, and the US Army Soldier Biological Chemical
Command have collaborated on producing a guide for criminal
investigation into bioterrorist incidences.
(PDF)
(Posted: 04/20/2007)
In April 2003, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sponsored a "train-the-course
managers" workshop designed to equip attendees with the information, materials,
and facilitation skills needed to conduct the Forensic Epidemiology course
in their districts/regions. The meeting was attended by 250 persons representing
local and state public health, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),
and the U.S. Attorneys' offices.
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