Defense Date
2026
Document Type
Directed Research Project
First Advisor
Renee Robinson, M.D., Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia
Second Advisor
Tal Simmons, Ph.D., National Natural History Collections, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Third Advisor
Christopher Ehrhardt, Ph.D., Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University
Fourth Advisor
Jenise Swall, Ph.D., Department of Statistical Sciences and Operations Research, Virginia Commonwealth University
Recommended Citation
Orbeta A. The Correlation of State-Level Autopsy Laws and Infant Autopsy Proportions: A Quality Assessment of the United States Medicolegal Death Investigation Systems [MSc Thesis]. [Virginia Commonwealth University]; 2026. p. 1–36.
Abstract
The United States medicolegal death investigation system is described as a “patchwork” due to the lack of standardization. The National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) has implemented standards titled the “Forensic Autopsy Performance Standards”, which require infant autopsies in cases involving unexpected and unexplained death. This is not enforced. Instead, state laws determine which cases require an autopsy, and thus may not be adequate for assessing, e.g., abuse and neglect in infant deaths. This study analyzed how closely each state’s laws adhered to the NAME standards using a classification system. Infant mortality statistics were examined in comparison to state law’s adherence levels to determine the rigor of that state’s death investigation system. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to explore the relationship between state law adherence level and infant autopsy proportions. Strong evidence of significant variation between adherence levels and infant autopsy proportion was found for standards A and B. Spearman’s rank order correlation was also performed between infant autopsy proportion and the following variables: proportions of the manners of death determinations and SIDS/SUID cases. Positive correlations were identified between infant autopsy proportion and proportions of accidents, undetermined, homicides, and SUID determinations. Negative correlation was found between infant autopsy proportions and the proportions of SUID/SIDS labels used interchangeably. The data suggests that policy changes are needed in order to mitigate these discrepancies. Currently, no official standardization method exists, thus allowing for the potential of mis determinations, and therefore misidentification of infant abuse, within cases of sudden and unexplained infant death.
Rights
© The Author(s)
Is Part Of
VCU Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects
Date of Submission
5-4-2026