Notes On A Crimi-Epi Workshop

I am in a two day workshop on joint criminological-epidemiological investigations sponsored by the FBI and the CDC.  Half the class is Public Health, half are Law Enforcement Officers from a variety of agencies.  We get to the part where we are conducting mock interviews.

The first roleplayer is doing a damned fine job as  a woman whose two children have been hospitalized after being infected by a category A agent. After ripping the interviewers two new ones, she begins sobbing.

Witness/Roleplayer:  I'm sorry -- but it’s been 24 hours and they won’t let me see my children!

LEO:  As soon as we’re done here, I’ll make sure you get to see your kids.

There is a mass intake of breath from the rest of the class; the instructors have been very clear that we are not to make promises.

LEO: (abruptly going off-script)  Hey, I have a gun – she’s gonna see her kids!

Another roleplayer is doing an equally good job as a petty criminal who is hospitalized for the same reason.

PH Staffer:  Hello, Mr. Poole*, I’m Beth*.  I’m with the XX Health Department and I need to ask you a few questions about the day you got sick.

Witness/Roleplayer grunts.

PH Staffer:  And this is Genna Jones* -- she’s with the FBI and she’s going to sit in.  Is that okay?

Witness/Roleplayer: (sullenly) I don’t like cops.

FBI Agent:  Me neither, that’s why I joined the FBI.