The Animal and Plant Health Joint Criminal and Epidemiological Investigations Workshop is conducted by subject matter experts from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APH IS) and offered to partner countries upon request. The purpose of the workshop is to train law enforcement, animal health experts, and plant health experts on best practices for early recognition and rapid reporting of key indicators, triggers, and intelligence of suspected or confirmed unusual disease outbreaks. Attendees receive instruction on joint interoperability, which is essential for early detection of an attack and effective interventions. While the law enforcement, animal health, and plant health disciplines have distinct investigative roles and responsibilities, they share common goals:
- Early identification and notification that an event has occurred;
- Rapid and continued assessment of whether an event is manmade or naturally-occurring; and
- Protecting One Health (human, animal, and plant) and the U.S. economy.
Specific topics covered during the workshop include:
- Roles, responsibilities, authorities, assets, and capabilities of the experts during an unusual animal disease outbreak, or an exotic plant disease or pest incursion; Law enforcement investigations, threat assessment, and Animal or Plant health epidemiological investigations.
- •nformation-sharing, joint investigation models, protocols, and Memoranda of Understanding.
Nature of Assistance: These workshops build country capacity in the prevention of intentional acts of the introduction of animal and/or plant pathogens or pests.
Timing: Available upon request through the Embassy.
Frequency: Funding decisions made annually.
Availability: Worldwide government-to-government program.
