Advances in technology have provided a better understanding of certain risk factors involved in sudden, unexplained infant deaths (SUIDs). This understanding has allowed authorities to educate parents and caregivers, resulting in a dramatic decrease of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). An unfortunate side effect of this decrease however, has been an increase in the discovery of fatal child abuse masked as SIDS. “Distinguishing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome From Child Abuse Fatalities,” found in the February 2001 …showed first 75 words of 717 total…

…showed last 75 words of 717 total…maltreatment specialists in the emergency room. As an alternative to this, some states have a pediatric pathologist perform the autopsies rather than a medical examiner who may not have expertise in the area of child maltreatment. Such a position would need to be funded by the state. Arizona is not willing to produce such funding at this time. These recommendations would help obtain very valuable information, but they may not be feasible in all states.