Research

Overview
OMI death investigation data have been available electronically since the mid-1970s, providing a rich data source for researchers interested in mortality trends and risk factors. Over the years researchers at the University of New Mexico, the New Mexico Department of Health, and external agencies have used OMI data to better understand and prevent public health problems, such as youth suicide, drug overdose deaths, interpersonal violence, and motor vehicle fatalities. Each year OMI produces an annual report, available online at the OMI website.

New Mexico Violent Death Reporting System (NM-VDRS)
Since January 1, 2005 OMI has been working with the New Mexico Department of Health to participate in the National Violent Death Reporting System, a network of 17 states funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to collect and analyze information on suicides, homicides and unintentional firearm fatalities. Information is collected on victims, perpetrators, and the circumstances of each death, then entered into CDC-provided software. Not only does this information help CDC track patterns and trends in violent deaths, it also allows epidemiologists in New Mexico to monitor the same trends for our state. NMDOH is working to compile the first annual report from the NM-VDRS data, and this report will be provided to law enforcement and any other interested agencies in order to help them better understand risk factors for violent deaths and the most likely opportunities for successful prevention strategies.