Which of the following is NOT a goal of epidemiology?

The goal of epidemiology primarily focuses on understanding the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. One of the central objectives is to determine the causes of diseases, which helps in the development of preventive measures and effective control strategies. Additionally, epidemiologists strive to prevent future outbreaks by analyzing data, identifying risk factors, and informing public health policies.

Understanding disease patterns is also crucial as it allows researchers and public health officials to track the spread of diseases, identify high-risk groups, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions over time. These foundational goals are essential in promoting public health and preventing disease on a larger scale.

While prosecuting an individual responsible for a disease may be a legal action taken in specific cases, it does not fall within the scope of epidemiological research. Epidemiology focuses on collective health and prevention rather than individual criminal accountability, thus making this action not consistent with the main goals of the field.