Data Consistency in Multiple Source Documents

Abstract

Data from the 2003-2004 National Violent Death Reporting System were used to compare consistency of homicide variables across multiple source documents. The NVDRS integrates death certificate, coroner/medical examiner and law enforcement data. Included in this analysis are 5,737 homicide incidents. Variables include victim demographics, manner of death, autopsy and pregnancy status, place, date and location of injury/death, and suspected use of alcohol. Demographic variables matched from lows of 70.9% for marital status to 99.9% for race. Injury/death variables matched from 72.6% for date of injury to 99.5% for state of injury. Situational variables ranged from 75.6% for suspected alcohol use to 97.5% for pregnancy status. Overall, data collected across multiple source documents matched at greater than 70%; however inconsistencies have implications for analyzing data from systems with multiple source documents. Understanding and mitigating data mismatches will increase the consistency of data on which violence prevention programs are developed.