Collaboration between Public Health and Law Enforcement: The Constitutional Challenge
Emerging Infectious Diseases, Vol. 8, No. 10, p. 1157-1159, October 2002
3 Pages Posted: 2 Aug 2011
Date Written: July 31, 2002
Abstract
In their article “Collaboration between Public Health and Law Enforcement: New Paradigms and Partnerships for Bioterrorism Planning and Response,” Butler et al. (Emerg Infect Dis 2002;8;1152-6.) present a valuable introduction to the practical problems of coordinating public health and criminal law investigations (1). While this problem is not new in public health, the events of September 11, 2001, have given it a special urgency. This commentary outlines the constitutional constraints on such collaborations, with the objective of helping public health and law-enforcement personnel resolve issues that are not addressed by the article.
Keywords: public health emergency, public health, 9/11,. emergency response, law enforcement, police, forensic epidemiology, epidemiology, evidence
JEL Classification: I18
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation