Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-sxzjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-19T11:49:48.064Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Forensic Epidemiology: Law at the Intersection of Public Health and Criminal Investigations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2021

Richard A. Goodman ,
Judith W. Munson ,
Kim Dammers ,
Zita Lazzarini  and
John P. Barkley
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

Since at least the mid-1970s, public health and law enforcement officials have conducted joint or parallel investigations of both health problems possibly associated with criminal intent and crimes having particular health dimensions. However, the anthrax and other terrorist attacks of fall 2001 have dramatically underscored the needs that public health and law enforcement officials have for a clear understanding of the goals and methods each discipline uses in investigating such problems, including and especially the potential use of biologic agents as weapons of mass destruction. Recognition of these needs has prompted some experts to call for the application of “forensic epidemiology” to such problems. Even before the attacks of fall 2001, other problems, such as the detection of the West Nile Virus in the United States and concerns that the emergence of this infectious agent was the consequence of a deliberate act, raised novel challenges to the combined interests of public health and criminal investigators.

Type
Article
Information
Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics , Volume 31 , Issue 4 , Winter 2003 , pp. 684 - 700
Copyright
Copyright © American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics 2003

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Stross, J.K. Shasby, D.M. Harlan, W.R., “An Epidemic of Mysterious Cardiopulmonary Arrests,” N Engl J Med 295 (1976):1107–1110.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Butler, J.C. Cohen, M.L. Friedman, C.R. et al., “Collaboration Between Public Health and Law Enforcement: New Paradigms and Partnerships for Bioterrorism Planning and Response,” Emerging Infectious Diseases 8 (2002):1152–1156.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
U.S. House Armed Services Committee, Hearing on Chemical and Biological Weapons, 20 October 1999. (Washington; Government Printing Office, 1999); Altman, L.K. Kolata, G., “A Nation Challenged: Anthrax - Anthrax Missteps Offer Guide to Fight Next Bioterror Battle,” New York Times. January 6, 2002: A1.Google Scholar
Moscoso, E., “West Nile Outbreak not Terrorism, Experts Say — Officials Dismiss Bioweapons Theory,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution. September 14, 2002: A5.Google Scholar
Model State Emergency Health Powers Act. December 21, 2001. Available at http://www.publichealthlaw.net. (last visited June 27, 2003); Gostin, L.O. Sapsin, J.W. Teret, S.P. et al. “The Model State Emergency Health Powers Act: Planning for and Response to Bioterrorism and Naturally Occurring Infectious Diseases”. JAMA 288 (2002): 622–628; Annas, G.J., “Bioterrorism, Public Health, and Civil Liberties,” N Engl J Med 346 (2002): 1337–1342.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Loue, S., Forensic Epidemiology: A Comprehensive Guide for Legal and Epidemiology Professionals (Carbondale and Edwardsville: Southern Illinois University Press, 1999).Google Scholar
Alibek, K. Handelman, S., Biohazard (New York: Random House, 1999): Pp. x.Google Scholar
U.S. House, supra note 3.Google Scholar
Altman, , supra note 3.Google Scholar
Last, J.M., A Dictionary of Epidemiology, 2nd ed. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1988).Google Scholar
Gove, P.B., ed. Webster’s Third New International Dictionary (Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam Company, 1976).Google Scholar
Last, supra note 10.Google Scholar
American Academy of Microbiology, Microbial Forensics: A Scientific Assessment. Available at http://www.asmusa.org/acasrc/aca1.htm. (last visited June 27, 2003).Google Scholar
Stross, , supra note 1. See also Blaser, M.J. Jason, J.M. Weniger, B.G. et al. “Epidemiologic Analysis of a Cluster of Homicides of Children in Atlanta,” JAMA 251(1984): 3255–3258; Buehler, J.W. Smith, L.F. Wallace, E.M. et al. “Unexplained Deaths in a Children's Hospital: An Epidemiologic Assessment,” N Engl J Med 313 (1985): 211–216; Istre, G.R. Gustafson, T.L. Baron, R.C. et al. “A Mysterious Cluster of Deaths and Cardio Pulmonary Arrests in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit”. N Engl J Med 313 (1985): 205–211; Sacks, J.J. Herndon, J.L. Lieb, S.H. et al. “A Cluster of Unexplained Deaths in a Nursing Home in Florida,” American Journal of Public Health 78 (1988):806–808; Torok, T.J. Tauxe, R.V. Wise, P.R. et al. “A Large Community Outbreak of Salmonellosis Caused by Intentional Contamination of Restaurant Salad Bars,” JAMA 278 (1997): 389–395; Sacks, J.J. Stroup, D.F. Will, M.W. et al. “A Nurse-Associated Epidemic of Cardiac Arrests in an Intensive Care Unit,” JAMA 259 (1988):689–695; Franks, A. Sacks, J.J. Smith, J.D. et al. “A Cluster of Unexplained Cardiac Arrests in a Surgical Intensive Care Unit” Critical Care Medicine 15 (1987):1075>–1076. See also personal communication from Adele L. Franks, M.D. to Richard A. Goodman, M.D., on June 6, 2003. For examples from case law, see Rachals v. State, 184 Ga. App. 420 (1987) and Rachals v. State, 258 Ga. 48 (1988). For examples from the press, see Galloway, J., “Albany Hospital Quick to Spot Cardiac Arrest Mystery”. Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution, March 22, 1986: A1, A4; Beasley, D., “Albany Nurse Acquitted in 6 Killings,” Atlanta Constitution, September 26, 1986: A1, A12; Palmer, P., “Appeals Court Upholds Nurse Rachals' Assault Conviction,” Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution, September 12, 1987:E1; Kolavic, S.A. Kimura, A. Simons, S.L. et al. “An Outbreak of Shigella dysenteria Type 2 Among Laboratory Workers Due to Intentional Food Contamination,” JAMA 278 (1997):396–398; Scott, S., Ex-Hospital Lab Worker Indicted: She's Accused of Tainting Muffins, Doughnuts that made Co-workers Ill,” Dallas Morning News, August 29, 1997 Mermin, J. Rios, R. et al. “An Outbreak of Food-Borne Illness Associated with Methomyl-Contaminated Salt,” JAMA 288 (2002):604–610. Finnaly, see also Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Ongoing Investigation of Anthrax – Florida, October 2001,” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 20 (2001): 877 and Jernigan, D.B. Raghunathan, P.L. Bell, B.P. et al. “Investigation of Bioterrorism-Related Anthrax, United States, 2001: Epidemiologic Findings,” Emerging Infectious Diseases 8 (2002); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Nicotine Poisoning After Ingestion of Contaminated Ground Beef – Michigan, 2003,” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 52 2003):413–416.Google Scholar
Stross, , supra note 1.Google Scholar
Torok, , supra note 14.Google Scholar
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 20 (2001), supra note 14; Jernigan, D.B., supra note 14.Google Scholar
Stross, , supra note 1.Google Scholar
Stross, , supra note 1.Google Scholar
Stross, , supra note 1.Google Scholar
Buehler, , supra note 14; Istre, , supra note 14; Sacks, , “A Cluster of Unexplained Deaths in a Nursing Home in Florida,” supra note 14; Sacks, , “A Cluster of Unexplained Cardiac Arrests in a Surgical Intensive Care Unit,” supra note 14. Franks, supra note 14; Personal communication from Franks, supra note 14; Rachals v. State, supra note 14; Rachals v. State, supra note 14; Galloway, , supra note 14; Beasley, , supra note 14.Google Scholar
Palmer, supra note 14; Franks, supra note 14; Personal communication from Franks, supra note 14; Rachals v. State, supra note 14; Rachals v. State, supra note 14; Galloway, supra note 14; Beasley, supra note 14.Google Scholar
Rachals v. State, supra note 14; Rachals v. State, supra note 14; Galloway, supra note 14; Beasley, supra note 14; Palmer, supra note 14.Google Scholar
Torok, , supra note 14.Google Scholar
Buchholz, , supra note 14.Google Scholar
Torok, , supra note 14.Google Scholar
18 U.S.C. § 175; 18 U.S.C. § 178; 18 U.S.C. § 2332a.Google Scholar
American Academy of Microbiology, supra note 13.Google Scholar
Buchholz, , supra note 14.Google Scholar
18 U.S.C. § 175, supra note 27;18 U.S.C. § 178, supra note 27; 18 U.S.C. § 2332a, supra note 27.Google Scholar
Lazzarini, Z. Bray, S. Burris, S., “Evaluating the Impact of Criminal Laws on HIV Risk Hehavior,” Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 30 (2002): 239–255.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lazzarini, , supra note 31.Google Scholar
Smith, R., “S.D. Gay Couple Faces Prison for Exposing Others to HIV: ACLU Urges “Caution” in Prosecutions when Infection not yet Proven,” Washington Blade, May 24, 2002.Google Scholar
“CDC Joins HIV Investigation in NY,” United Press Internationl, Thursday, October 30, 1997, <http://www.aegis.com?news/upi/1997/UP971019.html> (last visited June 25, 2003).+(last+visited+June+25,+2003).>Google Scholar
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Cluster of HIV-Positive Young Women – New York, 1997–1998,” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 48 (1999): 413–416.Google Scholar
Lazzarini, , supra note 31.Google Scholar
Richardson, L., “Man Faces Felony Charge of Exposing Girl to H.I.V,” New York Times, August 20, 1998: B3; NY Penal Code sec. 120.25, Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree.Google Scholar
New York State Bill # A04787 creates the crime of reckless endangerment of the public health for recklessly transmitting HIV/AIDS, available at http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A04787 (last visited November 12, 2003).Google Scholar
New York Public Health Law, §§ 2780–2787 (1999).Google Scholar
U.S. v. Moore, 846 F.2d 1163 (8th Cir. 1988).Google Scholar
U.S. v. Moore, supra note 40.Google Scholar
South Dakota Statutes § 22-18-31.Google Scholar
Napolitano, J., “South Dakota: Jail Term for H.I.V. Exposure,” New York Times, August 30, 2002: A15.Google Scholar
Smith, , supra note 33; Markus, M., “A Treatment for the Disease: Criminal HIV Transmission/Exposure Laws,” Nova Law Review, 875:23 (Spring, 1999).Google Scholar
South Dakota, Legislative tracking, available at: http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2003/1019.htm (last visited November 12, 2003).Google Scholar
South Dakota House Judiciary Committee Hearing, Testimony of Doneen Hollingsworth, Secretary of Health, South Dakota Department of Public Health, January 24, 2003 available at http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2003/1019.htm (last visited November 12, 2003); audio testimony–available at http://lightning.state.sd.us:8080/ramgen/78session/hju08hb1019a.rm (last visited November 12, 2003 and also on file with author; referenced portion from time stamp 3:18 to 3:45).Google Scholar
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Forensic Epidemiology: Joint Training for Law Enforcement and Public Health on Investigative Responses to Bioterrorism, Course Managers’ Guide. 2003.Google Scholar
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, supra note 14; Jernigan, , supra note 14.Google Scholar
Torok, , supra note 14.Google Scholar
Contents of Letter to Sen. Daschle released by FBI on Oct. 23, 2001; for an image of the letter, see <www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel01/102301.htm> (last visited November 12, 2003).+(last+visited+November+12,+2003).>Google Scholar
Torok, , supra note 14.Google Scholar
U.S. Constitution, Amendment IV.Google Scholar
U.S. Constitution, Amendment V.Google Scholar
Camara v. Municipal Court, 387 U.S. 523 (1967).Google Scholar
Frank v. Maryland, 259 U.S. 360 (1959).Google Scholar
Camara v. Municipal Court, supra note 54; See v. City of Seattle, 387 U.S. 541 (1967).Google Scholar
U.S. Constitution, supra note 52.Google Scholar
O’Connor v. Ortega, 480 U.S. 709 (1987).Google Scholar
Weeks v. United States, 232 U.S. 383 (1914); Gouled v. United States, 255 U.S. 298 (1921).Google Scholar
Christensen, D.A., “Warrantless Administrative Searches Under Environmental Laws: The Limits to EPA Inspectors' Statutory Invitation. Environmental Law, 1019 (1996):26.Google Scholar
Camara v. Municipal Court, supra note 54.Google Scholar
Michigan v. Clifford, 464 U.S. 287 (1984).Google Scholar
Michigan v. Clifford, supra note 62.Google Scholar
United States v. Branson, 21 F.3d 113 (1994).Google Scholar
Wooster, Ann K., Annotation, Validity of Warrantless Administrative Inspection of Business that is Allegedly Closely or Pervasively Regulated: Cases Decided Since Colonnade Catering Corp. v. U.S., 182 A.L.R. Fed. 467 (2002).Google Scholar
Payton v. New York, 445 U.S. 573 (1980); New York v. Burger, 482 U.S. 691 (1987); Michigan v. Tyler, 436 U.S. 499 (1978); Bumper v. North Carolina, 391 U.S. 543 (1968).Google Scholar
Illinois v. Rodriguez, 497 U.S. 177 (1990).Google Scholar
Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218 (1973).Google Scholar
Michigan v. Tyler, supra note 66.Google Scholar
Payton v. New York, supra note 66; Kirk v. Louisiana, 536 U.S. 635, 638 (2002).Google Scholar
Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213 (1983).Google Scholar
Michigan v. Tyler, supra note 66.Google Scholar
Kroplin v. Truax, 165 N.E. 498 (1929); Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11 (1905); North American Cold Storage Co. v. City of Chicago, 211 U.S. 306 (1908); Compagnie Francaise de Navigation a Vapeur v. Board of Health, 186 U.S. 380 (1902).Google Scholar
New York v. Burger, supra note 66.Google Scholar
Marshall v. Barlow, Inc., 436 U.S. 307 (1978).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Grad, F.P., The Public Health Law Manual 2nd Edition. (APHA, 1990:135) citing United States v. Biswell, 406 U.S. 311.Google Scholar
United States v. Moss, 963 F.2d 673 (4th Cir. 1992).Google Scholar
United States v. Mendenhall, 446 U.S. 544, 554 (1980).Google Scholar
Doe v. Heck, 327 F. 3d 492 (7th Cir. 2003).Google Scholar
Doe v. Heck, supra note 79.Google Scholar
Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966); Dickerson v. United States, 530 U.S. 428 (2000).Google Scholar
Oregon v. Elstad, 470 U. S. 298 (1985).Google Scholar
Miranda v. Arizona, supra note 81.Google Scholar
Florida v. Bostick, 501 U.S. 429 (2001).Google Scholar
New York v. Quarles, 467 U.S. 649 (1984).Google Scholar
Mauet, T.A., Trial Techniques (Aspen, Colorado: Aspen Publishers, 2000).Google Scholar
Gostin, L.O., supra note 5.Google Scholar
North Carolina General Statute (N.C.G.S.) §130A-475.Google Scholar
N.C.G.S. §130A-476.Google Scholar
N.C.G.S., supra note 89; N.C.G.S. §130A-143.Google Scholar
N.C.G.S. §130A-143(7).Google Scholar
N.C.G.S., supra note 91.Google Scholar
N.C.G.S. §130A-25.Google Scholar
N.C.G.S. §15A-401(b)(4).Google Scholar
N.C.G.S. §15A-534.5.Google Scholar
Stross, , supra note 1.Google Scholar
Kolavic, , supra note 14; Scott, , supra note 14; Buchholz, , supra note 14; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” supra note 14; Jernigan, , supra note 14; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, supra note 14.Google Scholar