One form was designed for documenting information collected by the initial investigator of death, and another form was designed for documenting information collected by the medical examiner, pathologist, or other person who certifies the death or otherwise finalizes the investigation by determining the cause, manner, and circumstances of death. This discussion focuses on the benefits, problems, and criteria associated with designing the forms. Both the investigator's form and the certifier's form are available in printed or electronic form for whose who wish to use them or to modify them according to their specific needs. It is hoped that these DIRFs will be useful and promote uniformity in documenting death investigations. Copies of forms and 5 references (Author abstract modified)