NCJ Number
204993
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 73 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2004 Pages: 10-15
Date Published
March 2004
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes the main elements of an investigation concerning a sudden, unexplained infant death (SUID).
Abstract
Investigations of SUID present many challenges to law enforcement officers, in part due to a lack of training in this area. The goal of the article is to provide a better understanding of SUID and the important aspects of its investigation. SUID is distinguished from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), in that SIDS is defined as the unexplained death in an infant less than 1 year old even following an investigation. SIDS is the most prevalent cause of SUID and is noted as prevalent, especially within Native American populations. The remainder of the article reviews the major aspects of an SUID investigation, which includes a focus on the death scene, the autopsy, the infant’s medical history, and the family’s case history. Officers should approach an investigation of SUID just as they would any investigation of a mysterious death. The unique aspect of a SUID investigation is that officers must focus their efforts on establishing a lack of evidence, which means that by “investigation of exclusion” the many possibilities of the causes of infant death are ruled out. The investigation should be divided into four parts, beginning with a careful analysis of the death scene. Officers should note, in detail, where the baby was found, the condition of the sleeping area, and the condition of the house in general. Witnesses should be interviewed to discover whether any suspicious activities occurred prior to the infant’s death. Next, the autopsy may be able to reveal the cause and manner of the infant’s death. The infant’s medical history is a crucial part of the investigation because it may note any injuries or illnesses directly prior to the death, as well as any previous traumatic injuries. Finally, the family’s case history should be reviewed through interviews with family members. Information that should be gathered at this stage includes the infant’s gestational age and weight at birth, history of childhood diseases or congenital abnormalities, and the age and health of other children in the family. By following these main investigation steps, officers will confidently and thoroughly complete investigations of SUID. A textbox offers online resources for further information. 9 Endnotes