Coroners Service

Child Death Review Unit

Overview

The Child Death Review Unit (CDRU) of the BC Coroners Service reviews the deaths of all children age 18 and under in B.C. The intent of these reviews is to better understand how and why children die, and to use those findings to prevent other deaths and improve the health, safety and well-being of all children in British Columbia.

Through the review of all child deaths, the CDRU gathers data that can show trends in child deaths.  In some cases, deaths will be further reviewed by way of a cluster review or though the multi-disciplinary review process.  Information arising from these various reviews is analysed and shared with agencies and organizations to influence and develop programs to deter or prevent child deaths. By understanding the risks, we can be guided in determining the most significant opportunities for prevention. 

Staffed with experts in the area of research and review, the unit also examines provincial and national trends with regard to child deaths.

• Child Death Investigations and Reviews – English
• Child Death Investigations and Reviews – Chinese
• Child Death Investigations and Reviews – Punjabi

Reports and Information

Special Reports

• Safe and Sound: A Five Year Retrospective on Sudden Infant Death in Sleep-related Circumstances [1.4 MB] – November 2009
  This report examines the lives and deaths of 113 B.C. infants who died suddenly and unexpectedly in their sleep between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2007.  It describes the trends and patterns found in order to make meaningful recommendations that improve outcomes for all infants and result in continued and strengthened collaboration across all child-serving jurisdictions.
  

• Looking for Something to Look Foward To – A Five-Year Retrospective Review of Child and Youth Suicide in B.C. [1.7 MB] – (Jan. 1, 2003 to Dec. 31, 2007)
  Suicide is the second most common cause of death for children and youth aged 12 to 18, after motor vehicle crashes. Past reviews of child and youth suicide conducted by the Child Death Review Unit have found that the majority of these deaths are preventable. Both the prevalence and the high level of preventability suggested the need for a special report on child and youth suicide. Please send us your feedback on this report.

Summary Report – Looking for Something to Look Forward To
'Panel Makes Recommendations on Child Suicide Prevention' news release and backgrounder– December 2, 2008

• Report on Drowning – July 2007
  The CDRU reviewed 33 cases of child drowning deaths from 2000 to 2006. Eighty-eight per cent, 29 of the 33, were preventable. The report examines contributory risk factors including risks associated with swimming pools, swimming ability of children, and hazardous water conditions like cold water and drop-offs. It also encourages parents, caregivers and youth to alter perceptions about the risks of children drowning.

Child Death Review Panel

On April 18, 2008 and July 4, 2008, a Child Death Review Panel was convened in Burnaby, B.C. to examine the circumstances related to the deaths of six Aboriginal youths. These youths died between 2004-2005 in the Northern, Interior and Vancouver Island regions. There were three females and three males between the ages of 13 and 18 years old. Circumstances of death included a motor vehicle crash, suicide, exposure, and poisoning; alcohol was a factor in all six deaths.

• Child Death Review Panel Report July 2009

Annual Report

• 2008 Annual Report - Child Death Review Unit
  This report provides a summary of the Child Death Review Unit’s work in 2008. It outlines what the CDRU is all about; who we are, what we do and why we do it. It also outlines the progress that has been made on the implementation of recommendations and highlights the upcoming work we will be doing over the next few years.
  Please send us your feedback on the CDRU 2008 Annual Report.

Bulletins

• Infant Deaths Linked to Unsafe Sleep Practices – March 2008
• Stats and Studies Show Too Many Kids Victims of Fatal Pedestrian Accidents – May 2008

Archived Reports (2005 and 2006)

• Archived Reports