This report, the twelfth in the series, analyses the deaths of these children and young people by focusing on the circumstances and risk factors surrounding external (non-natural) causes of death and sudden unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI).
The Commission now holds data and information in relation to 5,843 children and young people whose deaths have been registered in Queensland since 1 January 2004.
The child death review work undertaken by the Commission demonstrates a desire to deeply, thoroughly and systematically reflect upon the risks that exist in children’s lives with a view to preventing them from manifesting or, preferably, eliminating them altogether. Child death reviews are effective in this way over and above the work traditionally performed by statistical bodies because they probe beyond a compilation of death certificate data and routinely involve detailed consideration of autopsies, coronial findings, child protection, health and police information.