The National Fatality Review-Case Reporting System

The National Fatality Review-Case Reporting System (NFR-CRS) is a web-based standardized case report tool available to states that was first created in 2005. The system allows local and state Child Death Review (CDR) and Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) users to enter case data, summarize findings, review team recommendations, access and download data, and create standardized reports.  A data use agreement must be completed to participate.

Version 6.0 Documents:

  • CDR National Fatality Review-Case Reporting System Form version 6.0 (PDF file)
  • FIMR National Fatality Review-Case Reporting System Form version 6.0 (PDF file)
  • National Fatality Review-Case Reporting System: Data Dictionary version 6.0 (PDF file)
  • NFR-CRS Tips and Tricks: FIMR (PDF file)
  • NFR-CRS Tips and Tricks: CDR (PDF file)

Purpose of fatality review reporting

The individual case review of a child’s death can often catalyze local and state action to prevent other deaths. It is important, however, to systematically collect data and report on the findings from your reviews over time. It is also important to compare your review findings with your infant and child mortality data from vital statistics and other official records.

When data from a series or cluster of case reviews are analyzed over time, significant risk factors or patterns in child injury and safety can be identified. The reporting of these findings can help:

  • Local teams gain support for local interventions.
  • State teams review local findings to identify trends, major risk factors and to develop recommendations and action plans for state policy and practice improvements.
  • State teams match review findings with vital records and other sources of mortality data to identify gaps in the reporting of deaths.
  • State and local teams use the findings as a quality assurance tool for their review processes.
  • Local teams and states use the reports to demonstrate the effectiveness of their reviews and advocate for funding and support for their program.
  • National groups use state and local findings for national policy and practice changes.

View resources for state and local teams on NFR-CRS data entry.

Using Fatality Review Data for Annual Reports or Other Reports

Compiling and disseminating CDR and FIMR case findings into reports is an effective means of educating policy makers, agency staff and the general public about key risk factors and opportunities for prevention. Most of these compilations are done as annual reports or as two- or three-year summaries of findings. Some states also publish cause of death-specific reports, for example a report specific to suicide deaths in the jurisdiction, but the most common report is the annual report. Annual reports can include the following:

  • Executive Summary that includes infant and child mortality data, findings, prevention recommendations and an overview of the process.
  • Summary of infant and child mortality data, including numbers and rates for all deaths.
  • Summary of findings for all deaths by key indicators collected in the case reporting system.
  • Mortality data including numbers and rates and fatality review findings by specific manners and causes.

Learn more about annual reports. Samples of state CDR reports are available in the State Spotlight section for each state.