Forensic Epidemiology
Forensic epidemiology is a unique hybrid discipline within the family of disciplines that fall under the descriptions of both Forensic Medicine (FM) and Epidemiology, that is directed at the evaluation of causation in a medicolegal setting. Epidemiology and FE are closely related, and rely on the same or similar methods, but differ primarily in application. Maastricht University is the international leader in the field of Forensic Epidemiology, which is directed at filling the gap between clinical judgment and scientific evidence for causal determinations in civil lawsuits and criminal prosecution and defence. Example projects include the development and advancement of methods for injury and disease causal analyses, diagnostic accuracy evaluation of forensic radiology methods, trends in police use of force-related hospital admissions, and risk factor analysis for birth trauma-related injury, to name just a few. The team is instrumental in leading another UM-wide platform: Maastricht Science in Court.
Contact: Dr. Michael Freeman
Current projects
Maastricht Science in Court
Maastricht Science in Court (MSiC) is an Interfaculty Research Collaborative that aims to improve the evidence basis for legal decision making, and translation between forensic disciplines.
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Causal Inference
Maastricht University is an internationally known center for the development and application of causal inference methodology that can be used in a medicolegal setting. We focus on developing the Forensic Epidemiology field itself and translate these methods for application in a wide variety of case specific applications in criminal and civil courts. We also deliver research data that can support fact finders in real-word court cases. We hope to contribute to improving both public health and the judiciary system when the causes of diseases and injuries are better understood.
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Example publications
- Is Acceleration a Valid Proxy for Injury Risk in Minimal Damage Traffic Crashes? A Comparative Review of Volunteer, ADL and Real-World Studies
- Medicolegal Causation Investigation of Bacterial Endocarditis Associated with an Oral Surgery Practice Using the INFERENCE Approach
- The PERFORM-P (Principles of Evidence-based Reporting in FORensic Medicine-Pathology version)
Current PhD Projects
- Mental health, causality, and liability in civil and criminal Law (Bart Augustin)
- Applications of forensic epidemiological methods to the investigation of violent injury and death (Ellie Strömmeri)
- Forensic Epidemiology of Motor Vehicle Crashes (Paul Nolet)
- The use of forensic epidemiology in medicolegal investigations of pediatric injury and death (Wendy Miller Leith)
- Characterization of acute and coercive hospitalizations in young people with early psychosis (Rebecca Rodrigues)
- Post-traumatic brain injury sequelae in the medicolegal environment: an evidence-based causation approach with a focus on post-concussion seizure disorder (Joshua Zvi Goldenberg)