N.H. Admin. Code § Jus 2005.02

Current through Register No. 45, November 7, 2024

Section Jus 2005.02 - Sudden Infant Death Investigation Report

(a) The responding ME shall complete Form ME-2 "Sudden Infant Death Investigation Report" for each such death investigated. Every page upon which information has been recorded shall be signed and dated by the responding ME.

(b) The responding ME shall record, to the extent ascertainable, the following regarding each infant's death on the "Sudden Infant Death Investigation Report" or as an attachment thereto:

(1) The responding ME's name;

(2) The county in which the death was discovered;

(3) The date and time that the ME was notified;

(4) The infant's:

a. Name and address;

b. Social Security number;

c. Date of birth and age;

d. Sex; and

e. Race.

(5) The date, time and name of the last person to see the infant alive;

(6) The date, time and name of the person who witnessed the infant's death;

(7) The date, time and name of the person who found the infant dead or unresponsive;

(8) The date, time, place of pronouncement of death, and the name of the person who pronounced death;

(9) A summary of the case;

(10) The incident location, date, and time;

(11) An indication as to whether the place the infant was initially found was a:

a. Residence;

b. Day care center;

c. Babysitter's; or

d. Other.

(12) Whether the ME responded to the scene and if so, the date and time;

(13) The name, agency, and phone number of each other person investigating;

(14) The name of the CME, DCME, or designee with whom the responding ME consulted with respect to autopsy, and the date and time of such consultation;

(15) The name of the county attorney, the date and time the county attorney was notified, and whether the county attorney authorized an autopsy;

(16) The following information regarding next of kin:

a. Name and address and telephone number; and

b. Relationship;

(17) Whether the next of kin was contacted by the ME and notified about the infant's death;

(18) Whether the next of kin was notified about an autopsy;

(19) The name, address, telephone number, and relationship of an alternate contact for the next of kin;

(20) The name, address, and phone number of the funeral home to which the remains will be released and whether the funeral home was chosen at the family's request;

(21) The following information regarding the death event:

a. When the infant was last seen alive, and by whom;

b. When the infant was found, and by whom;

c. The position in which the infant was placed when last seen alive;

d. The position in which the infant was found;

e. The position of the infant's face when the infant was found;

f. A full description of the sleeping arrangements, such as the type of bed and whether it was shared, if applicable;

g. If the bed was shared:

1. An indication whether alcohol or drugs were used by the individuals sharing the bed with the infant; and

2. The ages, weights, and heights of the individuals sharing the bed with the infant;

h. A list of all other items in bed with the infant, if applicable;

i. The usual position of bedding or pillows, if applicable;

j. A list of clothing, by layer, that the infant was wearing when found;

k. Whether the infant was hot or sweaty when found;

l. Whether rectal temperature was taken at any time during attempted resuscitation and the reading;

m. Whether any fluid or material was noted as being on the infant's face, in the infant's nostrils or mouth, or on the bedding;

n. The following information with respect to resuscitation:

1. Whether resuscitation was attempted at the scene, and if so, by whom;

2. How the resuscitation was attempted;

3. The level of training of the person or persons initiating CPR;

4. Who was contacted by the person finding the infant, and in what order; and

5. The name and telephone number of each first responder;

(22) From each person who initially found the infant a description as well as a reconstruction using a doll that shows exactly how the infant was positioned when found;

(23) Photographs, including video recordings or any other type of imaging process, of the reconstruction if possible;

(24) The following information on the infant's care and medical history:

a. Whether the infant was breast fed, bottle-fed, or fed by other means;

b. A history of any feeding problems;

c. Whether the formula required the dilution by water or other fluids;

d. How much the infant ate or drank at the last feeding, and what time the last feeding occurred; and

e. A description of the infant's usual eating pattern, such as whether the infant ate solid foods and the total amount of formula in a 24-hour period;

(25) The following information regarding, or from, the infant's pediatrician:

a. Name and telephone number of the pediatrician;

b. Child's general health status;

c. The date and purpose of the infant's last office visit; and

d. A list of all immunizations received and the dates thereof;

(26) The following prenatal/birth history information:

a. Whether prenatal care was received and if so, the name and telephone number of the obstetrician;

b. The name of the birth hospital;

c. Whether there were any problems with the pregnancy or birth;

d. The gestational age at birth in weeks; and

e. The birth weight;

(27) Information regarding the infant's medical history, including whether the infant:

a. Was admitted to a hospital after birth;

b. Visited the emergency room;

c. Was being given any medications;

d. Had any recent symptoms or illnesses; and

e. Had a history of injury;

(28) Whether the family has a history of other SIDS deaths;

(29) Whether there have been other recent deaths in the family;

(30) A description of any recent illness or health problems of family members or caretakers;

(31) Whether the infant had any other known exposure to illness or infection, and if so what;

(32) Whether the mother smoked during pregnancy, after pregnancy, or both;

(33) The names, ages, and relationships of all persons who share the residence where the infant was found and who were present in the house prior to or when the infant was found;

(34) Whether the infant was with a single parent, married or unmarried parents, or other caretaker;

(35) A description of the employment of the parents/caretakers, and whether they were receiving welfare or other public assistance;

(36) A list of caretakers other than the primary caretakers who care for the infant or siblings on a regular basis;

(37) The percentage of time that the primary caretaker spent with the infant;

(38) The demographics of each caretaker, including where each grew up and now resides;

(39) An estimation of the family's socio-economic status, selecting one of the following:

a. Poverty;

b. Low;

c. Middle; and

d. Upper;

(40) The residence where the infant was found;

(41) A description of the dwelling type;

(42) The room in which the infant was originally found to be unresponsive;

(43) The type of heating in the residence, and whether there were any recent repairs;

(44) The condition of the interior of the residence;

(45) The number of rooms in the residence and the number of persons living in the residence;

(46) Information regarding Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) involvement, including whether:

a. There were any previous DCYF referrals for the family;

b. There were any previous DCYF referrals for the caregiver's family;

c. There were any previous DCYF referrals for the parents or caregivers as children;

d. There was any family or caregiver history of violence, drug use or alcohol abuse;

e. There were any police contacts with the family or caregivers; and

(47) Additional notes relative to the investigation;

(c) The responding ME shall record on the "Sudden Infant Death Investigation Report" the following with respect to an external examination of the infant:

(1) The place, date, and time of the external examination;

(2) The name of the person who witnessed the external examination;

(3) Whether photographs were taken of, or other imaging processes were used at, the scene and external examination;

(4) Whether a diagram was done and if so, is attached;

(5) An assessment of postmortem changes, including:

a. Temperature at time of exam;

b. Whether the infant was refrigerated/cooled prior to the examination;

c. Presence of rigor mortis, and whether it is complete/symmetrical and if present on the jaw, neck, arms and legs;

d. Presence of liver mortis, and its color, distribution, refill, whether it is fixed or blanching, and whether it is appropriate;

e. Whether the corneas of each eye were moist, dry, clear, cloudy or opaque;

f. Whether tache noire was present in each eye;

g. An assessment of the changes of decomposition;

(6) Whether any resuscitation was attempted;

(7) A description of any scars, marks or tattoos;

(8) Whether any signs of injury were observed;

(9) Information regarding evidence and toxicology, including:

a. Whether antemortem specimens were obtained and if so, the type/source of specimen, where it was drawn, who it was drawn by, and the date/time drawn;

b. Whether postmortem specimens were obtained and if so, the type/source of specimen, where it was drawn, who it was drawn by, and the date/time drawn;

c. Whether other evidence was seized and if so, a description of it; and

d. The disposition of any specimens or evidence seized in addition to attaching a custody sheet.

N.H. Admin. Code § Jus 2005.02

#8937, eff 7-14-07