FAQs for Conducting a Fatality Review
FAQs
What is the purpose of a fatality review? The primary goals are to:
- Enhance victim safety and perpetrator accountability
- Identify gaps in the community's response to domestic violence
- Develop recommendations for systemic changes to prevent future fatalities
What type of cases are reviewed?
- Closed cases where the criminal justice system has identified the perpetrator
- Domestic violence-related homicides, as well as near-fatalities and suicides
- Cases that occurred within the past 3-5 years
Who participates on the fatality review team?
- Representatives from key community agencies and systems, such as law enforcement, courts, social services, advocacy, healthcare, and more
- The team should be multi-disciplinary and diverse in its membership
How is confidentiality maintained?
- Team members sign confidentiality agreements to protect sensitive case information
- No individually identifying information is included in public reports
What does the review process involve?
- Gather relevant case records and documents
- Conduct interviews with family/friends of the victim
- Develop a detailed chronology of events
- Review the case as a team, identify gaps and barriers
- Formulate findings and recommendations for change
- Monitor implementation of recommended actions
How are recommendations implemented?
- Findings and recommendations are shared with the larger community task force
- Team members work to enact policy/practice changes within their own agencies
- Progress on implementation is tracked and reported on over time
What is the role of state-level coordinators?
- Provide training, technical assistance, and resources to local review teams
- Facilitate collaboration and sharing of best practices across teams