Introduction: The DVI Casebook, UK Incidents

A professional and successful disaster victim identification (DVI) deployment relies on preparedness, advanced communication networks, inter-agency cooperation, crisis management capabilities, efficient implementation of emergency plans, and a response by trained personnel. In any mass fatality event an early, rapid deployment of a DVI reconnaissance team led by an experienced DVI commander is essential if the requirements of victim recovery and identification are to be met to the standard of excellence required. A "Gold," "Silver," "Bronze" command structure (or, respectively, Strategic, Tactical, and Operational) is used by UK emergency services to establish a hierarchical framework for the command and control of major incidents and disasters, including mass fatality incidents (MFIs). While this system does not explicitly signify hierarchy of rank, the chain of command loosely follows rank order, with the most senior and experienced officers tending to occupy key roles. This structure was adopted for response to disasters; however, it has been successfully used for all manner of preplanned operations, including football matches and firearms operations. The individuals for each element of the team are selected largely as a result of the police area (Figure 1.1) in which the incident occurs and in recognition of their training and experience.