Decision-Making on Deaths Subject to Domestic Abuse-Related Death Reviews in England and Wales: Do All Deaths Count?

In England and Wales, domestic abuse-related death reviews (DARDRs) bring stakeholders together to examine and learn from domestic abuse-related deaths. However, decision-making about which deaths to review has not been examined, creating a gap in knowledge about the notifications received, whether a DARDR is undertaken, and oversight and communication of outcomes. This exploratory study addresses this gap. Data were collected from the local partnership bodies responsible for decision-making about domestic abuse-related death notifications received between January 2017 and December 2024. A bespoke data collection instrument, distributed via a survey and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, generated a dataset of 1,437 cases. Descriptive statistics are presented on notifications by source and case type; victim, perpetrator, and case characteristics; decision-making and stakeholder involvement; whether a DARDR was undertaken; oversight; and how decisions are communicated. Results showed increasing numbers but a changing profile of notifications: homicide is no longer the most common case type, having been superseded by suicide. However, missing data hampers decision-making. Improved understanding of decision-making about which deaths are reviewed has significant implications for state accountability. Further clarity and guidance are needed for commissioners and other stakeholders regarding notification, identification, and decision-making.