Criteria For "Reviewable Deaths"

  • Sudden, unexplained death, (1 week-1 year, Autopsy mandated per state statute.)
  • Unexplained/undetermined manner
  • Possible malnutrition or dehydration
  • Possible inadequate supervision
  • Suspicious/criminal activity
  • Severe unexplained injury
  • Prior calls to CA/N Hotline on decedent or other persons in the residence
  • Decedent in custody (DSS, DMH, Juvenile, DYS, etc.)
  • Delay in seeking medical care or suspected medical neglect
  • Inadequate care/neglect
  • Possible suicide
  • Firearm injury
  • Confinement
  • Drowning
  • Suffocation/strangulation
  • Poison/chemical/drug ingestion
  • Any sleep related or suspected sleep related death
  • Hyperthermia/hypothermia
  • Preventable illnesses (COVID-19, Influenza, Asthma, Diabetes)
  • Substance-use related infant deaths
  • Unwitnessed or home births
  • Pedestrian/bicycle/driveway injury
  • Motor vehicle injury
  • Suspected sexual assault
  • Fire injury
  • Other child deaths in family/household
  • Autopsy by certified child-death pathologist
  • Other suspicious findings (injuries such as electrocution, crush or fall)
  • Panel discretion
  • Animal-related death

The coroner/medical examiner along with the CFRP chairperson decide on which cases should be reviewed by the local panel, based upon the known circumstances at time of death. If the death involves any of the above listed criteria, the death is deemed reviewable, requiring CFRP panel review.