Part 3Public health investigations
Public health investigations
I121Public health investigations
1
In this Part, a “public health investigation” means an investigation into the cause (or causes) of a public health incident.
2
A public health investigation may be carried out by a person appointed for the purpose by—
a
the Scottish Ministers;
b
a health board competent person;
c
the common services agency;
d
a local authority competent person;
e
two or more of the persons mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d) acting together,
and, in this Part, that person is known as an “investigator”.
3
Despite subsection (2)(b) and (d), a health board competent person or a local authority competent person may be appointed as an investigator.
4
If an investigator considers it necessary for the purpose of, or in connection with, a public health investigation, the investigator may, subject to section 25(1), exercise—
a
the powers relating to entry to premises mentioned in section 22;
b
the other investigatory powers mentioned in section 23; and
c
the power to ask questions mentioned in section 24.