Which of the following records are necessary to understand the circumstances that led to the infant's death?

The terminal hospital records are crucial for understanding the circumstances surrounding an infant's death because they contain comprehensive medical documentation of the child’s condition leading up to the time of death. These records outline the treatments received, any diagnoses made, lab results, and the healthcare team's assessments. This information is vital in understanding any complications or problems that may have contributed to the infant's demise, as it provides a timeline and clinical context.

While family medical history, witness statements, and birth hospital records can all provide useful information, they do not offer the same level of detail regarding the immediate factors that occurred prior to death. Family medical history may reveal hereditary issues but does not account for the specific events surrounding the death. Witness statements can provide insight but may lack the medical detail necessary for a comprehensive understanding. Birth hospital records offer important background information but do not detail the events occurring in a hospital setting immediately preceding the infant’s death, which is essential in this context. Therefore, terminal hospital records are the most critical for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the infant's death.