National Enforcement Investigations Center (NEIC)
Often, the demands of specific environmental enforcement cases require non-standard methodologies and their application. In response to these needs, EPA's, National Enforcement Investigations Center (NEIC), field and lab conduct and develop new methodologies and innovative strategies. This can include, but is not limited to, complex process based investigations, development of new methods, evaluations and modification of existing methods, expert technical consultation and advice.
- Process-based investigations are comprehensive facility evaluations that initially focus on a comprehensive understanding of all facility operation and maintenance processes. The process-based investigation includes tracking raw materials through the industrial and support operations; identifying by-product, co-product and products; identifying wastes generated; and determining how these wastes are ultimately managed.
- Methods development and deployment is the characterization of sources and/or environmental impacts which often require non-standard methods measurement. These may involve novel sampling, sample preparation, or analysis techniques in a variety of biological and physical media.
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Field measurement application is the deployment and
application of new and existing methods and techniques
involving environmental measurement and forensic
activities in environmental enforcement cases. NEIC
also gains practical experience in implementing rules
in the field and sharing the experience with rule
developers and EPA regulatory development workgroups.
- Publications cover all aspects of NEIC work, including papers published in scientific journals on analytical methods, etc., a summary of NEIC's accomplishments in the annual report and, in more detail, in the annual science report.
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Forensics information services is to manage, analyze,
and deliver comprehensive information services in
support of civil and criminal environmental
enforcement, applied science and technology, and
compliance assurance efforts.