A Comparison of Law Enforcement and Medical Examiner Reports in a Violent-Death Surveillance System

2008 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Anne Gabor ◽  
Andrea Genovesi ◽  
Gitte Y. Larsen ◽  
Lynne Fullerton-Gleason ◽  
Anna Davis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Medical Examiner ◽  
Violent Death

Characteristics of persons who die on their first suicide attempt: results from the National Violent Death Reporting System

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (8) ◽  
pp. 1390-1397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua T. Jordan ◽  
Dale E. McNiel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Reporting System ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Medical Examiner ◽  
Violent Death ◽  
Legal Problem ◽  
History Of ◽  
Life Circumstances

AbstractBackgroundMuch of suicide research focuses on suicide attempt (SA) survivors. Given that more than half of the suicide decedent population dies on their first attempt, this means a significant proportion of the population that dies by suicide is overlooked in research. Little is known about persons who die by suicide on their first attempt–and characterizing this understudied population may improve efforts to identify more individuals at risk for suicide.MethodsData were derived from the National Violent Death Reporting System, from 2005 to 2013. Suicide cases were included if they were 18–89 years old, with a known circumstance leading to their death based on law enforcement and/or medical examiner reports. Decedents with and without a history of SA were compared on demographic, clinical, and suicide characteristics, and circumstances that contributed to their suicide.ResultsA total of 73 490 cases met criteria, and 57 920 (79%) died on their first SA. First attempt decedents were more likely to be male, married, African-American, and over 64. Demographic-adjusted models showed that first attempt decedents were more likely to use highly lethal methods, less likely to have a known mental health problem or to have disclosed their intent to others, and more likely to die in the context of physical health or criminal/legal problem.ConclusionsFirst attempt suicide decedents are demographically different from decedents with a history of SA, are more likely to use lethal methods and are more likely to die in the context of specific stressful life circumstances.

Differences Between Sexual and Nonsexual Homicides of Women in the United States: Findings From the National Violent Death Reporting System

2022 ◽  
pp. 088626052110642
Author(s):  
Natasha F. De Veauuse Brown ◽  
Ashley E. N. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Reporting System ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Medical Examiner ◽  
Violent Death ◽  
Substance Abuse Problem ◽  
Sexual Homicide ◽  
Correctional Programs ◽  
System Data

Sexual homicide (SH) is the most severe outcome of sexual violence and disproportionately affects women. While SH is rare (<1% in the U.S.) and gravely understudied, it is among the most violent, feared, and well publicized forms of murder. Thus, examining predictors is pertinent to identifying targets for prevention and response efforts. Secondary analysis of 2015–2018 National Violent Death Reporting System data on 6461 female homicide victims age 20–64 was conducted to determine if SH represents a unique killing characterized by specific offender, victim, and incident profiles. Law enforcement and coroner/medical examiner narratives were reviewed to identify cases with sexual elements ( N=324). Logistic regression estimated odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Findings highlight important differences between SH and non-SH. SH victims were more likely to be single (AOR=1.7, p=.006), have a substance abuse problem (AOR=1.4, p=.04), or engaged in prostitution (AOR=10.4, p<.001). SH suspects were more likely to be male (AOR=2.5, p=.04), use an illicit substance in the preceding hours (AOR=1.6, p=.03), or had recent contact with police (AOR=1.6, p=.01). SH was more likely to occur in a hotel/motel (AOR=3.0, p=.002), by asphyxiation (AOR =13.38, p<.001), be perpetrated against an acquaintance (AOR=1.64, p=.007), or be precipitated by another serious crime (AOR=2.1, p<.001). Findings advance our understanding of SH victim, suspect, and incident profiles, which can help to better inform police/investigative practices and crime prevention strategies/interventions as well as to improve how SH cases are managed in correctional programs for offenders who have the opportunity for release back into society.

Survey of Toxicologic Testing Practices for a Violent Death Surveillance System

2008 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gitte Y. Larsen ◽  
Catherine Barber ◽  
David Kosegarten ◽  
Lenora M. Olson
Keyword(s):  
Surveillance System ◽  
Violent Death ◽  
Testing Practices

scholarly journals Examining differences between mass, multiple, and single-victim homicides to inform prevention: findings from the National Violent Death Reporting System

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine A. Fowler ◽  
Rachel A. Leavitt ◽  
Carter J. Betz ◽  
Keming Yuan ◽  
Linda L. Dahlberg
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Reporting System ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
Medical Examiner ◽  
Violent Death ◽  
Homicide Rates ◽  
Shared Risk ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Background Multi-victim homicides are a persistent public health problem confronting the United States. Previous research shows that homicide rates in the U.S. are approximately seven times higher than those of other high-income countries, driven by firearm homicide rates that are 25 times higher; 31% of public mass shootings in the world also occur in the U.S.. The purpose of this analysis is to examine the characteristics of mass, multiple, and single homicides to help identify prevention points that may lead to a reduction in different types of homicides. Methods We used all available years (2003–2017) and U.S. states/jurisdictions (35 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico) included in CDC’s National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), a public health surveillance system which combines death certificate, coroner/medical examiner, and law enforcement reports into victim- and incident-level data on violent deaths. NVDRS includes up to 600 standard variables per incident; further information on types of mental illness among suspected perpetrators and incident resolution was qualitatively coded from case narratives. Data regarding number of persons nonfatally shot within incidents were cross-validated when possible with several other resources, including government reports and the Gun Violence Archive. Mass homicides (4+ victims), multiple homicides (2-3 victims) and single homicides were analyzed to assess group differences using Chi-square tests with Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc comparisons. Results Mass homicides more often had female, child, and non-Hispanic white victims than other homicide types. Compared with victims of other homicide types, victims of mass homicides were more often killed by strangers or someone else they did not know well, or by family members. More than a third were related to intimate partner violence. Approximately one-third of mass homicide perpetrators had suicidal thoughts/behaviors noted in the time leading up to the incident. Multi-victim homicides were more often perpetrated with semi-automatic firearms than single homicides. When accounting for nonfatally shot victims, over 4 times as many incidents could have resulted in mass homicide. Conclusions These findings underscore the important interconnections among multiple forms of violence. Primary prevention strategies addressing shared risk and protective factors are key to reducing these incidents.

State firearm laws, race and law enforcement–related deaths in 16 US states: 2010–2016

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 569-572
Author(s):  
Josie J Sivaraman ◽  
Stephen W Marshall ◽  
Shabbar I Ranapurwala
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Poisson Regression ◽  
Reporting System ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Black American ◽  
Violent Death ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
Us States ◽  
Inverse Probability ◽  
Generalised Estimating Equations

The aim of this study was to assess the association between state firearm legislation and law enforcement–related deaths (LEDs) and its modification by race. We used secondary data from an ecological cohort of 16 states (2010 to 2016), using the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), the State Firearm Law Database and additional public sources. Poisson regression with generalised estimating equations and inverse probability of exposure weights to account for time-varying confounding were used to quantify the association. LEDs were also disaggregated by race (Black vs non-Black). A total of 1593 LEDs took place during the 6-year study period. After adjusting for confounders, the IRR among non-Blacks was 0.48 (95% CI 0.26 to 0.89) and 1.53 (95% CI 0.93 to 2.54) among Blacks. Our findings highlight the fact that increased firearm provisions may decrease rates of LED among non-Black American individuals—an association not observed among Black Americans.

Practical Pathology of Gunshot Wounds

2006 ◽  
Vol 130 (9) ◽  
pp. 1283-1289 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Scott Denton ◽  
Adrienne Segovia ◽  
James A. Filkins
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Gunshot Wound ◽  
Gunshot Wounds ◽  
The United States ◽  
Medical Examiner ◽  
Manner Of Death ◽  
Entrance Wound ◽  
Practical Guidelines

Abstract Context.—Gunshot wounds are the most common cause of homicidal death in the United States. Analysis and interpretation of fatal gunshot wounds is an important and common practice among forensic pathologists. Additionally, for pathology residents, it is an integral aspect of their training during their rotations at medical examiner or coroner offices. Objective.—The correct interpretation of gunshot wounds by forensic pathologists not only provides valuable information that can assist law enforcement in their investigation but also is essential for the final determination of manner of death. Discussion of the practical, basic, and essential skills required to interpret gunshot wounds include distinguishing a classic entrance wound from an exit wound; recognizing atypical entrance and exit wounds; utilizing the features of soot and stippling patterns to differentiate among contact, close, and distant range gunshot wounds; understanding of the trauma produced by gunshot wounds; and understanding the importance of recovering and documenting/handling any projectiles recovered at autopsy. Data Sources.—This article reviews numerous standard forensic pathology textbooks and the pertinent literature to formulate practical guidelines to assist the pathologist in the performance of forensic autopsies and the investigation of gunshot wound fatalities. Conclusions.—Pathologists who perform investigations and autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death in gunshot wound cases must be aware of the implications, requirements, and pitfalls in interpretation of the injuries so that the examination fulfills its expectations to the community and the justice system.

scholarly journals The Opioid Epidemic: Moving Toward an Integrated, Holistic Analytical Response

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayne B Morrow ◽  
Jeri D Ropero-Miller ◽  
Megan L Catlin ◽  
Agnes D Winokur ◽  
Amy B Cadwallader ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Drug Toxicity ◽  
Analytical Data ◽  
Medical Examiner ◽  
Opioid Epidemic ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Synthetic Opioids ◽  
Analytical Response ◽  
Novel Synthetic Opioids

Abstract In many jurisdictions, public safety and public health entities are working together to enhance the timeliness and accuracy of the analytical characterization and toxicology testing of novel synthetic opioids. The improved sharing and early detection of these analytical data are intended to inform surveillance, interdiction efforts, patient intervention and treatment, all of which are critical to curbing the opioid epidemic. Forensic practitioners working to identify novel synthetic opioids struggle to provide timely results when encountering new or unknown substances, such as the fentanyl analogs. These compounds, which mimic heroin in pharmacologic effect but can be far more potent, are inconsistently present in chemical identification libraries, and are currently largely unavailable as reference materials for analytical comparison. Additionally, federal, state and local governments as well as nongovernmental organizations require potency, toxicity and potential-for-abuse data to evaluate the potential health risks of emerging drug threats. Subsequent scheduling efforts and criminal prosecutions also require these thorough drug characterization studies. Pilot programs have demonstrated that early communication of real-time drug toxicity and analytical data significantly impacts the successful response to emerging opioids. High-quality, real-time, national-level data on chemical composition, toxicological test data, drug toxicity and overdoses, and analysis of seized materials by law enforcement are needed to track drug trends. However, the USA still lacks a national system to coordinate and communicate toxicology, medical and medical examiner and coroner data with the broader medical and law enforcement communities. Opportunities to address these gaps as well as recent advancements collected through interagency efforts and technical workshops in the toxicology and analytical chemistry communities are presented here. Opportunities for partnership, increased communication and expanding best practices to move toward an integrated, holistic analytical response are also explored.

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