The selection process for domestic violence fatality review begins with identifying a case and obtaining the files from the district attorney’s office. Problems that hinder this process are: 1) The case has not been issued and the appeals process completed. 2) Obtaining release of the record if it is a high profile case within the county, because of confidentiality issues. 3) Older cases that are reviewed are not productive in providing timely recommendations for systemic changes. 4) Domestic violence-related suicide cases are not handled by the district attorney’s office, and may not be included in case review. Once a case has been identified for review, information is forwarded to staff support, which obtains an investigative report from the medical examiner’s office. This information is forwarded to team members who obtain case information for future case review. Of utmost importance in working with a fatality review team is the confidentiality of the case information. Obstacles that can arise in obtaining case information can include: 1) Case files will not be released to the team member because of the agency’s confidentiality rules, and they do not understand the State’s protection from prosecution. 2) Information during case review could be released outside of the confines of the meeting. 3) If the case is still in the appeals process, the prosecution may hear relevant information, and that can affect the ongoing case.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1)Identify how cases are selected for case review. 2)Describe the inherent challenges with obtaining recent cases for review.
Keywords: Domestic Violence, Homicide
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: County of San Diego Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.