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Family violence death review: A national system

Michael Durfee, MD, Public Health, UCLA, 210 Starlight Crest, La Canada, CA 91011, 8183882052, michaeld55@aol.com and Pat West, MSW, Philadelphia Death Review, 2134 Spring, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Multi-agency Child Death Review, CDR began in 1978 and spread to all states, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Domestic Violence Fatality Review, DVFR emerged in this century. Death review for elders and dependent adults are beginning along with the review of nonfatal severe child injuries. Local teams, particularly in small counties may review multiple categories of death. There are almost 1,000 multiagency death review teams in US. Four separate grants from USDOJ and USDHHS provide some support for Child Death Review and Domestic Violence Fatality Review. A single national network of teams addressing fatal family violence is emerging in the US. Public health plays a role in that network but even in APHA interest is spread between multiple Sections, SPIGS and Caucuses. A single network is forming in APHA to connect these professionals and provide public health input into this dual system. There are differences to consider. Teams vary. CDR membership includes agencies representing coroner, criminal justice, child protective services and health/public health. DVFR teams add advocates working with domestic violence, more community ties and less focus on public agencies. Case intake criteria are inclusive for most CDR (all child deaths or all coroner’s child deaths). DVFR may only review deaths designated as homicide by an adult intimate partner. CDR teams may review current cases while DVFR may wait for the end of criminal action. Model programs from Los Angeles and Philadelphia will be described along with national networks for both reviews.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Family Violence, Death

Related Web page: ican-ncfr.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

Handout (.ppt format, 376.0 kb)

Family Violence and Injury Prevention

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA