Lethality Assessment

Florida’s lethality assessment is a standardized tool used by law enforcement officers to evaluate the risk of serious harm or death in domestic violence situations. The assessment, mandated by the Gabby Petito Act, involves a series of evidence-based questions designed to identify key indicators of heightened danger for victims of intimate partner violence. These indicators can include the abuser’s access to firearms, previous threats to kill, or an escalation in the frequency or severity of violence.

The lethality assessment aims to provide officers with a systematic method to gauge the immediate risk a victim faces during a domestic violence call. If the assessment reveals a high risk, officers are required to advise the victim of the danger and make a referral to the nearest certified domestic violence center for support and safety planning. The results of the lethality assessment must also be documented in the official police report, ensuring that the information is available for further investigation and judicial proceedings.

Florida’s implementation of the lethality assessment was driven by the recognition that domestic violence fatalities often follow a predictable pattern of escalating behavior that can be detected through careful questioning. By institutionalizing this process, the state seeks to prevent such tragedies by enabling timely interventions that protect victims from the most extreme outcomes of domestic violence. The assessment is part of a broader strategy to enhance the safety of domestic violence survivors and reduce the incidence of domestic violence-related deaths in the state.