Abstract â–¡ 80

There has been increasing consensus that standardization of the postmortem investigation of infants dying suddenly and unexpectedly will improve diagnostic accuracy and provide data important for vital statistics and research into SIDS. To this end, the ISAP and the CDC "Guidelines for Death Scene Investigation of Sudden, Unexplained Infant Deaths: Recommendations of the Interagency Panel on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome" (or a modification thereof) have been endorsed by the Society for Pediatric Pathology and the National Association of Medical examiners in the United States. Endorsement is being sought by other forensic and pediatric pathology societies. The State of California adopted both of the protocols for use by medical examiners and coroners in July 1997. Also the ISAP is now available on the GSTF Web page (www.sidsglobal.org) from which it can be downloaded to individuals as well as various institutions and agencies having jurisdiction over these cases. It is hoped that pathologists will provide feedback about their experience in order to improve and simplify these protocols. Such data should help to address issues such as routine eye removal and examination in cases of SIDS, the diagnosis of which rests upon exclusion of other explanations for and infant's sudden and unexpected death. The ISAP is accompanied by a Manual that provides relevant definitions, guidelines for the use of the ISAP, literature citations regarding SIDS and other causes of sudden infant death, and reference tables for body size and organ weights.