Teams operate in a variety of ways, depending on available resources, participation, legal or legislative direction and local preferences. For example, some Florida teams (e.g. Miami) have a two-tiered organization structure. The actual review team contains those agency players who bring information to the table in order to discuss domestic violence related deaths. Usually one or two of the members of these review bodies assume responsibility for leading the team, coordinating meetings, and a variety of other duties. These chairs / co-chairs are usually actively involved in domestic violence cases and are well placed to orchestrate the activities of a wide range of professionals. Rotating leadership is desirable in order to avoid burnout, inject new ideas into team deliberations, and insure that as many reviewers as possible learn about chairing team activities. Other teams (New Hampshire’s statewide team) has a single tier for review, and a small group that carries out administrative and organizational tasks. Washington State’s review teams are both regional and statewide. The regional teams meet and provide information to the statewide team, which reviews regional findings and produces a statewide report.

Teams are also located in a variety of ways, all of which impact their mode of operation. Some are domestic violence coalition or advocate based (Washington state, Denver, CO, Berks County, PA). Some are located as a subcommittee of an existing domestic violence coordinating effort (Palm Beach County, FL, Santa Clara County, CA, New Hampshire). Still others are system-based and are an adjunct to a governmental office (Philadelphia, PA).