Welcome to the Texas Violent Death Reporting System (TVDRS). Texas joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC)
National Violent Death Reporting System in January of 2019. TVDRS uses CDC’s national system to link violent death data, including why they occurred. Our mission is to use violent death data to inform decisions that save lives.
TVDRS is the only state-based surveillance (reporting) system that collects all statewide, multiple-source violent deaths data and circumstances into one de-identified database. Violent deaths include suicides, homicides, accidental firearm deaths, and undetermined violent deaths.
Take a look at the TVDRS expansion map for more information on the counties TVDRS covers.
How can you use TVDRS data to prevent violent death?
Inform Decision Makers about the scale, trends, and characteristics of violent deaths.
Educate Communities about circumstances that contribute to violence.
Help Decision Makers and Programs improve comprehensive violence prevention efforts to maximize benefits.
Linking Data to Save Lives
Frontline investigators include:
- Law enforcement;
- Justices of the peace; and
- Medical examiners.
They collect valuable information about violent deaths. Yet, these data points are seldom linked to provide a complete picture of violent death.
The Texas Violent Death Reporting System (TVDRS) collects data from:
- Death certificates;
- Justice of the peace/medical examiner reports;
- Law enforcement reports; and
- Toxicology reports.
These go into one database after our program de-identifies the reports.
Data elements collected provide valuable background about violent deaths. It can show:
- Relationship problems;
- Mental health conditions and treatment;
- Toxicology results; and
- Life stressors, including recent money- or work-related problems or physical health problems.
Such data are far more comprehensive than what other collection systems provide. Decision-makers and program planners can use this information to develop and tailor violence prevention efforts.
TVDRS Data Insight
Texas Public Health Association 2022 Presentation: TVDRS Pilot Year and Moving Forward
Contact TVDRS
Your questions are important to us. Please email us at
tvdrs@dshs.texas.gov.