Study variables
| Victim factors | Vehicle factors | Circumstance factors |
|---|---|---|
| Italics indicate information required to meet case criteria. | ||
| Age | Make | Town or city |
| Cause of death related to heat | Model | State |
| Gender | Year | Date |
| Child’s name | Color | Responsible person and relationship to victim (for example, self, mother, foster parent, daycare provider) |
| Prior existing health problems | Location (for example, parking lot, driveway) | Length of time in vehicle |
| Victim’s activity at time of incident (playing, sleeping) | Design features (for example, tinted windows, electric door locks) | Temperature high for date |
| Presence of other children in the vehicle | Other factors (for example, vehicle was abandoned) | Time of day of incident |
| Outcome for other children | Use of child safety seat | Adult’s activity (for example, shopping, working) |
| Intention of adult (forgot, left child intentionally) | ||
| Adult use of alcohol or other drugs | ||
| Legal consequences | ||
| Adult’s age | ||
| Adult gender | ||
| Other factors (for example, marginal housing, family event) | ||
| Prior involvement with child protection agencies | ||