Why are obstetrician records important in an investigation of an infant's death?

Obstetrician records are crucial in investigating an infant's death because they provide comprehensive information about the mother's health during pregnancy. These records typically contain details about prenatal care, including any complications that arose, maternal health issues, and how those factors could have influenced the outcome of the pregnancy and the infant's health at birth. Understanding the maternal health history is essential in determining potential risks that could contribute to an infant’s death.

By assessing the mother's health during pregnancy, investigators can identify any conditions such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, infections, or other medical conditions that may have impacted the baby. This information helps in ruling out or confirming potential causes of death related to maternal health issues, making it a vital aspect of the investigative process.

While verifying the baby's name, understanding the father's involvement, and tracking birth notifications have their own relevance, they do not provide the same depth of insight into the health-related factors that could directly affect the infant's outcome as the obstetrician records do.