Chapter 4: Forensic Epidemiology and the Forensic Nurse

Forensic Evidence

Evidence collected and preserved for use in legal proceedings.

Nursing Notes

A detailed record of a patient's medical history, treatment, and progress, created by nurses.

Forensic Epidemiologists

Professionals who study the distribution and determinants of health and disease in populations and apply this knowledge to forensic investigations.

Medical Examiner's Office

A government agency responsible for investigating deaths that occur under suspicious or unusual circumstances.

natural death

The forensic epidemiologist's primary role in \_____ investigations is to provide a constellation of characteristics that increases an individuals risk of developing a natural disease.

drug deaths

Forensic epidemiologic investigations of \____ focuses on the type of drug, the concentration of each drug, the profile of the victim, and trends.

MVAs attempts

Forensic epidemiologic investigations of \_____ to ascertain if the cause of death was environmental, biological, or behavioral in nature.

homicide investigation

This investigation by a forensic epidemiologist focuses on developing characteristic profiles of the victim and the perpetrator, the relationship between the two, and determining the circumstances that lead to the homicide.

Forensic Epidemiology

It is the application of epidemiological methods and principles to investigate public health issues within a medicolegal framework, such as in cases of suspected bioterrorism or criminal activity.

Bioterrorism

It is the intentional release or dissemination of biological agents (e.g. bacteria, viruses, toxins) to cause harm or fear among a population.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

It is a national public health agency in the United States that works to protect public health and safety by controlling and preventing the spread of diseases.

National Center for Infectious Diseases Epidemiology

It is a division of the CDC that focuses on the surveillance, investigation, and control of infectious diseases in the United States.