Citation

Jiang Y, Lyons D, Northup JB, Hilliard D, Foss K, Young S, Viner-Brown S. R. I. Med. J. (2013) 2018; 101(4): 21-24.

Affiliation

Chief of the Center for Health Data and Analysis at the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Principle Investigator and Program Manager of RIVDRS.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Rhode Island Medical Society)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

29703071

Abstract

Information on homicide firearms can be used to help state and local communities understand the problems of violence and decrease injuries and deaths. However, it is difficult to collect these data. To our knowledge, in the public health arena, the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) is the only system that collects detailed firearm information. The Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory (RISCL) can provide detailed information about the firearms and cartridge casesbullets involved in firearm deaths. With help from the RISCL, the firearm information related to homicides in Rhode Island has improved dramatically. In 2015, information on caliber/gauge increased by 80%, the firearm type by 50%, the make by 50%, and the model by 20%. By documenting the process of using information from the RISCL, it is hoped that this process can be used as a model by other states when reporting on violent deaths. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2018-05.asp].

Language: en

Keywords

Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory (RISCL);; Rhode Island Violent Death Reporting System (RIVDRS; firearms; homicide