Infant Death Scene Investigation

This initiative partners the MTSU Center for Health and Human Services, MTSU University College, and Audio-Visual Services at MTSU with the state Medical Examiner and the Tennessee Department of Health and Tennessee Department of Children’s Services to produce a statewide training program for investigating sudden unexpected infant and child death. As of early 2026, the program has provided training to over 35,000 first responders since it first launched in 2004. The program has been developed for those who train first responders such as EMTs, police, and firefighters. A year-round online training program for first responders is coordinated by MTSU University College, with four train-the-trainer programs offered annually – two live and two virtual.

In addition, the project provides an annual safe sleep and child fatality review annual conference for public health and social services professionals with over 2,000 participating as of 2026 and provides resources for medical examiners to attend an annual pediatric forensic conference. In 2007, the project expanded to cover all unexplained deaths to children less than 18 years of age. First responder training was expanded from 5 to 8 hours in 2008.  In 2015, online training was developed so that additional first responders could participate in training similar to those offered twice a year as live training sessions, and virtual train-the-trainer classrooms have been offered twice a year since 2020. This project was featured in the CHHS 2024 Summer Newsletter. Training materials, links to online training, and other resources are available here.

Please visit the Tennessee Department of Health’s Maternal and Child Health Program website to learn more about the work of this state department.