Disaster Victim Identification International Protocols

Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) is a hugely complex process which may involved multiple locations and nationalities. In order to permit the optimal success in DVI it is important to understand what common protocols exist. These may consider to set standards for DVI but, because of the multiple jurisdictions in which they may be used and which may be applied by many different disciplines, these can only be recommendations or guidelines. Nevertheless there is now a commonality of approach which requires strict co-ordination to ensure the best outcome is achieved. This chapter explores the role of INTERPOL, command structures and the five phases of DVI work.