This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Citing articles on Web of Science (34)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in JAMA  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Conducting an Investigation Using Survey Epidemiology

Howard Hu, MD, MPH; Robert Cook-Deegan, MD; Asfandiar Shukri, MD

JAMA. 1989;262(5):640-643.

Abstract
The use of chemical weapons in conflict represents a breach of international law as well as a grave violation of human rights. Investigating allegations of their use often is difficult. A basic tool is the survey interview. Experience has shown that a rigorous epidemiologic approach should be taken. A primary emphasis should be designing the study so that consistency of responses can be analyzed to judge the validity of the testimony. Only when the testimony can withstand this scrutiny is it possible to surmise the possible identity of agents employed. Securing samples of the putative agent is of obvious importance. Two recent investigations are discussed herein, one conducted by US Army medical researchers on allegations of chemical weapons use against the Hmong in Laos and another mounted by us on allegations of poison-gas attack against the Iraqi Kurds.

(JAMA. 1989;262:640-643)

Author Affiliations
From Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass (Dr Hu); the Biomedical Ethics Advisory Committee, US Congress, Washington, DC (Dr Cook-Deegan); and Department Emergency Services, Northwest General Hospital, Detroit, Mich (Dr Shukri). The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not represent the opinions of the supporting institutions.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to Physicians for Human Rights, 58 Day St, Somerville, MA 02144 (Jonathan Fine, MD).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

The Use of Advanced Simulation in the Training of Anesthesiologists to Treat Chemical Warfare Casualties
Berkenstadt et al.
Anesth. Analg. 2003;96:1739-1742.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Role of the Clinical Laboratory in Managing Chemical or Biological Terrorism
Jortani et al.
Clin. Chem. 2000;46:1883-1893.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Health and Human Rights: A Call to Action on the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Writing Group for the Consortium for Health an
JAMA 1998;280:462-464.
FULL TEXT  

The Role of Physicians in Conflicts and Humanitarian Crises: Case Studies From the Field Missions of Physicians for Human Rights, 1988 to 1993
Geiger and Cook-Deegan
JAMA 1993;270:616-620.
ABSTRACT  

Children and Childhoods: Hidden Casualties of War and Civil Unrest
Schaller and Nightingale
JAMA 1992;268:642-644.
ABSTRACT  

Pediatric Protective Respiratory Device: Assessment of Physiologic Compatibility
ALCALAY et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1992;146:275-278.
ABSTRACT  

Medical Defense Against Blistering Chemical Warfare Agents
Smith and Dunn
Arch Dermatol 1991;127:1207-1213.
ABSTRACT  

The Use of Poison Gas Against the Iraqi Kurds: Analysis of Bomb Fragments, Soil, and Wool Samples
Hay and Roberts
JAMA 1990;263:1065-1066.
ABSTRACT  

Perversions of Medical Technology-Reply
Orient
JAMA 1990;263:1066-1067.
ABSTRACT  

Chemical and Biological Warfare: Should Defenses Be Researched and Deployed?
Orient
JAMA 1989;262:644-648.
ABSTRACT  

Weapons of Mass Destruction: The Greatest Threat to Public Health
Sidel
JAMA 1989;262:680-682.
ABSTRACT