One of the earliest models of collaborative training for public health and law enforcement is the Forensic Epidemiology course developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and sponsored in part by the United States Department of Justice.

"Forensic epidemiology" refers to the use of epidemiologic methods in the investigation of public health problems that may have been caused by or associated with intentional and/or criminal acts. See, e.g., Richard A. Goodman et al. Forensic Epidemiology: Law at the Intersection of Public Health and Criminal Investigations, 31 J. L. MED. & ETHICS 684, 685 (2003). The first portion of the CDC's Forensic Epidemiology training program consists of several informational lectures addressing topics such as principles of public health and epidemiology; principles of law enforcement and criminal investigation; roles of public health and crime laboratories; and coordination of joint investigations from the federal perspective. These introductory lectures are followed by the participants' analysis of three factual scenarios involving biological threats to public health and safety, each of which requires the joint response of public health and law enforcement.

Included in this portion of the Clearinghouse are various resources used in conjunction with Forensic Epidemiology courses throughout the country. Additional information on these training programs can be found at the CDC's website: http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/od/phlp/ForensicEpi/Background.asp.

• More about forensic epidemiology

  • Fact Sheet for Forensic Epidemiology

  • Richard A. Goodman et al., Forensic Epidemiology: Law at the Intersection of Public Health & Criminal Investigations, 31 J.L. Med. & Ethics 684 (2003)                                                                                                                                                                   Reprinted with permission of the American Society for Law and Medicine, copyright 2004. All rights reserved.

  • Department of Justice, Criminal & Epidemiological Investigation Handbook

  • Forensic Epidemiology Report and Model Materials from Buncombe County, North Carolina

  • Amy R. Schofield, Forensic Epidemiology: Legal Considerations for Public Health Practitioners - A Presentation to the Indiana Public Health Association (May 2004)

• Public Health 101 for law enforcement

• Law Enforcement 101 for public health

• Model forensic epidemiology factual scenarios

• Host a forensic epidemiology course in your jurisdiction