Virginia Violent Death Reporting System (VVDRS)

Description

VVDRS, Virginia’s version of the CDC-based National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), collects information on six types of violent deaths: homicides, suicides, unintentional firearm deaths, legal interventions, deaths due to acts of terrorism, and undetermined deaths likely related to violence.

How the Community can use the Data

The VVDRS data helps community members, public health officials, researchers, and policymakers understand the patterns and circumstances surrounding violent deaths in Virginia. By analyzing this data, communities can identify risk factors, support violence prevention initiatives, inform policy decisions, and develop targeted programs aimed at reducing suicides, homicides, and other forms of violence. The insights gained from VVDRS help promote safer, healthier communities across the Commonwealth.

Data Limitations

The system relies on information from multiple sources, such as death certificates, medical examiner reports, and law enforcement records, which may vary in completeness, accuracy, and timeliness. Not all circumstances surrounding a death may be fully documented or known, and some cases may be misclassified or have undetermined intent. Additionally, VVDRS focuses solely on violent deaths and does not capture non-fatal injuries or broader patterns of violence within communities.