What to know
- CDC collaborates with a number of organizations and subject matter experts to create sudden unexpected infant death investigation training materials.
- These materials are for individuals who investigate infant (less than 1 year old) deaths and those who train them.
Training Manual for Infant Death Investigators
The training manual, linked below, titled Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation: A Systematic Training Program for the Professional Infant Death Investigation Specialist, teaches death scene investigators how to conduct a comprehensive infant death scene investigation. Investigators learn how to conduct witness interviews and doll reenactment, and to develop a narrative report for the forensic pathologist. This training gives investigators the necessary knowledge and skills to complete the Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Reporting Form (SUIDIRF) during and after the scene investigation.
- Cover
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Appendix A
- Appendix B
- Glossary
- References
- Answers to Sample Questions
Colorado Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Investigation (SUIDI) Training Course
With support from CDC, this training was designed to provide tools and best practices for death scene investigators, coroners, medical examiners, and law enforcement officers. The course is intended to help investigators and others learn from each SUID to improve health and safety of families and children. This training has useful information for death scene investigators across the U.S.
The Infant Death Investigation: Guidelines for the Investigator
The Infant Death Investigation: Guidelines for the Scene Investigator helps investigators conduct an infant death investigation using recommended practices and demonstrates how to report scene information to the pathologist conducting the autopsy.
These guidelines also include the "SUIDI Top 25," which highlights the 25 critical scene/case issues forensic pathologists need from the investigator to determine cause and manner of death. It is not intended to take the place of existing laws or regulations.
This information has been endorsed by the National Sheriffs' Association, the National Association of Medical Examiners, the International Coroners and Medical Examiners Association, and the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators.
For Instructors
Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation: Curriculum Guide
Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation: Curriculum Guide
The curriculum guide provides teaching and evaluation techniques for instructors who train investigators to conduct infant death investigations.
National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention Child Death Scene Investigation Learning Series
This 10-module learning series provides an overview of diverse aspects of child death scene investigation (DSI) for diverse professionals whose work intersects with DSI. Includes a module on CDC's SUIDIRF in Chapter 2: Overview of Investigations.