Questions  

1. What is the Unexplained Infant Death Council?
2. What is the Infant Death Checklist?
3. How do I obtain additional copies of the Infant Death Checklist?

What is the Unexplained Infant Death Council?

In 2002, ARS 36-2291 established the Unexplained Infant Death Council to assist the Department Of Health Services in developing unexplained infant death training and educational programs, to inform the governor and the legislature of the need for specific programs regarding unexplained infant deaths, and to approve and periodically review the infant death investigation checklist developed by the Department Of Health Service. The Council develops protocols for investigations of infant deaths for which there was no previously diagnosed life-threatening illness that clearly contributed to the death. These protocols specifically address the need for compassion and sensitivity with parents and caregivers, include recommended procedures for law enforcement, and require scene investigations as a component of the infant death investigation. 

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What is the Infant Death Checklist?

A.R.S. 36-2293 requires that law enforcement officers complete an infant death investigation checklist during investigations of unexplained infant deaths and further requires law enforcement officers to complete the checklist prior to autopsy. The intent of the checklist is to standardize the process of unexplained infant death investigations throughout the state, and to ensure medical examiners are provided sufficient information from investigators to assist in determining the cause and manner of an infant’s death. 

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How do I obtain additional copies of the Infant Death Checklist?

Copies of the Infant Death Checklist may be obtained upon request to the Child Fatality Review Program at (602) 542-1875, or through email to smithja@azdhs.gov.

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