National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS)
NVDRS is the only state-based anonymous surveillance system that covers all types of violent deaths. NVDRS collects information about the who, what, where, and how of violent deaths and provides insight into why they occurred. No personally identifiable information is collected in NVDRS web-based system. NVDRS started in 2002 and went nationwide in 2018.
South Dakota Violent Death Reporting System (SD-VDRS)
The South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) received funding from the CDC in 2018 to implement SD-VDRS. The first year of data collection started on January 1, 2019, which was a pilot year and focused on Minnehaha and Pennington counties. Statewide data collection started on January 1, 2020. The DOH continues to work with coroners and law enforcement agencies across the state to collect data and reduce the number of violent deaths in South Dakota.
SD-VDRS Data Sources:
- Death Certificates
- Coroner Reports
- Law Enforcement Reports
Violent Deaths Include:
- Suicides
- Homicides
- Undetermined Intent
- Unintentional Firearm
- Legal Intervention & Terrorism
Data Collected:
- Victim Demographics
- Injury and Death Information
- Circumstances (mental health, substance abuse, life stressors, etc.)
- Weapon and Suspect Information
- Toxicology Findings
What SD-VDRS Can Do:
- Guide state and local prevention efforts
- Identify emerging issues
- Educate our state and communities
Data Request Form: The Department of Health strives to make data available to community partners to inform the development of injury prevention strategies. For additional data needs not addressed in the currently available data reports, please complete the Injury and Overdose Data Request Form and send it to the contact listed.
SD Violent Death Reporting System (SD-VDRS)
Violent Death Reporting System Data Report, 2024
The South Dakota Violent Death Reporting System (SD-VDRS) is a CDC-funded anonymous surveillance system that collects information on suicides, homicides, deaths of undetermined intent, unintentional firearm deaths, and legal intervention deaths in the state.
Homicide Deaths in South Dakota, 2020-2024
Between 2020 and 2024, South Dakota recorded 243 homicide deaths, with 2023 reporting the lowest number at 39. American Indians experienced the highest homicide rate at 35.6 deaths per 100,000, more than 16 times the rate among White individuals. Firearms were involved in 49% of homicide deaths, and 67% of homicide suspects knew their victim.
Suicide Deaths in South Dakota, 2020-2024
From 2020 to 2024, South Dakota recorded 959 suicide deaths, with annual deaths declining from 193 in 2020 to 188 in 2024. Firearms were involved in 52% of suicide deaths, and 78% of decedents were male. American Indian individuals experienced the highest suicide rate at 53.1 per 100,000, with American Indian adults ages 20 to 29 experiencing the highest age-specific rate at 115.9 per 100,000.
Violent Deaths in South Dakota, 2020-2024
The South Dakota Violent Death Reporting System provides a snapshot of violent deaths statewide from 2020 to 2024. In 2024, South Dakota recorded 257 violent deaths, up from 232 in 2023. Suicides accounted for 76% of all violent deaths, and firearms were involved in 51% of cases.
South Dakota Violent Death Reporting System Regional Reports, 2020-2024
The South Dakota Violent Death Reporting System regional reports summarize violent deaths and suicide deaths across the Western, Central, Southeast, and Northeast regions from 2020 to 2024. The Western Region recorded the most violent deaths at 485, followed by the Southeast Region with 462, while the Central and Northeast regions recorded 158 and 153, respectively. Suicides accounted for the majority of violent deaths in every region, ranging from 69% in the Western Region to 86% in the Northeast Region. Firearms were involved in more than half of violent deaths in the Western, Southeast, and Northeast regions, while the Central Region reported 43%.
Violent Death Reporting System Data Report, 2023
The South Dakota Violent Death Reporting System (SD-VDRS) is a CDC-funded anonymous surveillance system that collects information on suicides, homicides, deaths of undetermined intent, unintentional firearm deaths, and legal intervention deaths in the state.
Resources:
- South Dakota Department of Health Coroner Training
- South Dakota Violent Death Reporting System Advisory Committee
- SD-VDRS Informational one-pager - to order email Ally.Gross@state.sd.us
- SD-VDRS Pocket Guide - to order email Ally.Gross@state.sd.us
- CDC National Violent Death Reporting System
- South Dakota Suicide Prevention