Louisiana Coroners and Death Investigator Resources

The Bureau of Family Health (BFH) is committed to strengthening and developing our Mortality Surveillance Program which includes Child Death Review (CDR), Domestic Abuse Fatality Review (DAFR), and Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review (PAMR). The goal of these fatality reviews is to understand how these deaths occur to prevent future injuries and deaths. This is accomplished through a comprehensive review of the circumstances that contributed to each death by a team of diverse, multidisciplinary professionals in law enforcement, healthcare, and other state agencies. This helps to bring awareness to these public health issues and create actionable recommendations.

This webpage serves as a resource for Coroners and death scene investigators seeking information on SUID reimbursements, SUID investigation training, and additional information on SUID.

Please note: The Bureau of Family Health does not provide or release autopsies, death certificates, or any other death investigation records.

Coroner Reimbursement

• Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Investigation Reporting Form (SUIDIRF)
  • Reimbursement: $100
  • Requirements:
    • Received by the Bureau of Family Health within 10 days of death
    • Completed within 24 hours of the infant's death
    • Complete as possible with a narrative that describes the incident (use narrative to explain any gaps in information)
    • Include death scene diagram, doll reenactment, and photographs whenever possible
    • Reimbursements submitted after the fiscal year ends will not be processed. 

• Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Autopsy
  • Reimbursement: $500
  • Requirements:
    • Received by BFH within 75 days of death
    • Completed by a pathologist skilled in forensics
    • Follow standardized autopsy procedure
    • Includes external, internal, microscopic, toxicology, and summary report
    • Reimbursements submitted after the fiscal year ends will not be processed.

• Submission: please submit in one of the following ways
  • Fax: 504-568-3503 ATTN: Victoria Smith
  • Mail: Bureau of Family Health at 1450 Poydras Street Suite 2032, New Orleans, LA 70112
  • Email or fax directly to your regional MCH Coordinator. Click here for the MCH Coordinator's contact information.
  • Secure file transfer: Email Victoria Smith at Victoria.Smith@la.gov for more information.
• Please include a separate BFH reimbursement form for the SUIDIRF and autopsy and a W-9 form first time reimbursement requests.
• Please make sure that all mail is marked confidential and all faxes have a cover letter.

Resources for Coroners and Death Scene Investigators:

• Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Investigation Reporting Form (SUIDIRF)
• Information on Documenting Cause of Death and Training for Coroners and Death Scene Investigators 
• Additional Information on SUID
• Contact Information

Contact

For more info, contact Victoria Smith via email.

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