Overview: This Australian paper examines and discusses the applicability and potential of Domestic Violence Fatality Review Teams (DVFRTs) in Australia. DVFTRs are currently in widespread use across the United States (US) and the paper explores their purpose and operation there, alongside the existing responses in Australia to domestic violence fatalities.

Discussion: After outlining the introduction and use of DVRTs in the US, the author goes on to explore the current Australian response to domestic violence related fatalities. Definitions and statistics relating to the incidence of domestic violence and of fatalities arising from domestic violence are provided.

The author discusses the purpose of DVFTRs, the basic objectives being to:

* compile and interpret accurate, detailed data concerning domestic homicides.

The author discusses the potential criteria and scope of DVFRTs and makes the point that each model used applies different criteria to establish which deaths come within the scope of review. Most do not include accidental death, although some do. The author discusses the options of broadening the scope where resources permit; for instance including attempted murder and suicides where domestic violence had been a contributing factor, suicides in conjunction with homicides, homicides of victims peripheral to domestic violence situations and homicides of professionals assisting victims of domestic violence.

The composition of the DVFRTs in the United States is discussed with reference to parallel agencies and possible participants in Australia. Operational issues and legislative requirements are addressed in a similar way, by comparing the situation in the US with possible issues and requirements in the Australian context.

Conclusion: The paper concludes with an extensive discussion of the issues to consider in relation to introducing DVFRTs in Australia. There is support amongst domestic violence services and advocates for the establishment of DVFRTs and most jurisdictions already have child death review teams and other similar processes. The author recommends that in line with the US experience, DVFRTs will be most effective in Australia when tailored to the demographic of the individual jurisdiction in which they are introduced.