Yahadut Hatorah MK Uri Maklev is among those working to prevent a mandatory autopsy regulation for children who die of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). He accuses police of failing to be willing to accept responsibility in such cases which include clear evidence at the scene regarding the cause of death, but instead, Israel Police wishes to places the burden of the responsibility for determining the cause of death on the forensic institute. Such a reality he explains leads to additional delays surrounding kvura as well as anguish to the family. The new regulation was raised during a meeting of organizations for children’s rights, which support the move.

Maklev added this would demand an autopsy at a family’s worst time, adding he visited the forensic institute and spoke with personnel and clearly, they are uninterested in such a regulation. He concludes “In other nations, only certified SIDS deaths are recorded in statistical data but here in Israel all the deaths are included as a result of fewer autopsies. Nevertheless, there are fewer deaths than elsewhere in the world, not just increased awareness and knowledge of these incidents reduces the risk of death”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)