Montana Fatality Reviews Assist With Prevention and Intervention Efforts

Montana’s Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission (“team”) was created by statute in 2003 and is coordinated by the Office of Victim Services.  Since its inception, the Commission has been supported by a STOP grant and would not be operational without this source of funding. 

The team was trained by the National Domestic Violence Fatality Review Initiative and adapted the national model for use in Montana.  Key initial commitments included traveling to the community in which the homicide occurred; maintaining a team diverse in geography, gender, ethnicity, and occupation; and conducting victim-centered reviews.  As the work of the team progressed, these principles have been augmented but not altered. 

Montana’s immense geography and small population influenced the decision to create a single statewide team.  Membership includes 18 individuals representing several regions and disciplines including local, state, and federal law enforcement; courts; victim services; the legislature; tribal communities; health care and mental health care providers; educators; child protective services; Legal Services; and clergy. 

Two in-depth intimate partner homicide (IPH) reviews take place each year.  Investigated deaths have included homicides, homicide/suicides, female-perpetrated homicides, familicides, a workplace killing, homicides on Native American reservations, a killing involving two enlisted Air Force members, and a near-fatal incident in which the victim was shot numerous times but survived. 

Team members review all available information including police reports, autopsies, medical and mental health records, school records for children, criminal histories, shelter and/or victim-witness contacts, and court records.  Individuals who knew the victim and perpetrator are interviewed including family members, coworkers, neighbors, and pastors.  Those who worked with the victim and perpetrator are invited to meet with the team during a portion of the review.  All of this is done to gain a complete understanding of the individuals involved, in order to best learn what went wrong and what changes might prevent future deaths.  The Commission’s rigid adherence to confidentiality for all those who participate in a review helps to gain trust and reduce suspicion.

The team is committed to reporting its findings to all Montanans.  Every two years, coinciding with the state’s legislative sessions, a document is presented to the legislature and elected officials that identifies intimate partner homicides across the state, communicates what the team learned, and recommends changes.  The reports are posted on the Montana Department of Justice web site for easy reference and broad dissemination.  Recommendations have included better tracking of batterers, legislative changes, improved screening of victims by providers, increased attention to firearm use by prohibited persons, and expanded training. 

Victim safety and offender accountability have improved due to the work of the Commission.  Montana residents better understand the magnitude of intimate partner homicide, and long-term solutions have been implemented in an effort to reduce the number of deaths.  Montana has served as a model for other states that wish to deepen their reviews and/or create statewide  teams including Georgia, Oregon, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, California, Kentucky, and North Dakota.