FOI 871-2025 / Aug 2025 / Disaster Victim Identification
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: FOI-871-2025
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 20th August 2025. Please find your questions and the Warwickshire Police responses set out below:
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to request the following information relating to Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) provision within your force.
Where possible, please provide total counts disaggregated by gender where this information is recorded. I generally expect yes/no responses, but any additional context would be gratefully appreciated.
- The number of officers/staff currently trained in DVI within your force (please indicate gender if recorded).
Q1 response: Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires Warwickshire Police, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to you the applicant with a notice which:
(a) states that fact,
(b) specifies the exemption in question and
(c) states (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption applies.
The following exemption applies to the information requested:
Section 31(1)(a)(b) – Law Enforcement
Section 31 exemption is a prejudice-based qualified exemption and as such, there is a requirement to evidence the harm disclosure would cause and to carry out a public interest test.
Evidence of Harm:
DVI is a specialism held by police forces across the country in numbers sufficient that, in the event of a disaster on the largest scale, sufficient DVI trained personnel can respond. However, to release details of the exact number of officers trained in DVI in a force-by-force manner would not only reveal individual force capability but would also create a mosaic effect across the country, showing areas of capability and, more pertinently, potential vulnerability. It should be remembered that a release of information under FOI is not a private transaction, it is a disclosure to the world. It is known that criminals and those with criminal intent routinely monitor information made publicly available under FOI, consequently, for those that would seek to commit criminal acts, revealing the areas of capability and vulnerability could then be used to gain an advantage, resulting in further criminal activity which places the public at increased risk.
Public Interest test
Factors favouring disclosure:
Disclosure of this information would adhere to the basic principle of being open and transparent and would provide better awareness which may in turn reassure the public.
Factors against disclosure:
Where the current or future law enforcement role of the police may be compromised by the release of information, the effectiveness of the police service will be reduced. Providing the requested information would allow those who seek to commit criminal acts the ability to understand operational capabilities of police forces. This would undermine police resources in their primary function of law enforcement and public protection, ultimately putting the public at risk. Any disclosure of information which would undermine the Police Service’s ability to serve the public and protect them from harm is not in the public interest to disclose.
Balance
For a public interest test, issues that favour disclosure need to be balanced against issues against disclosure. Whilst the value of openness and transparency is recognised, the ability to deliver effective law enforcement is of paramount importance. Warwickshire Police will not divulge information if to do so would have an adverse effect on the force’s ability to prevent and detect crime or place the safety of the public at risk.
Therefore, on balance, it is considered that the public interest in providing the information is outweighed by the potential impact release would have on future law enforcement activities and this represents a refusal notice for information in relation to this element of your request.
- The number of DVI-trained officers/staff deployed in the last five years, and the categories of incidents they were deployed to (please group as: terrorism, transport incidents, industrial accidents, and natural disasters) - total numbers only, to preserve anonymity.
Q2 response: 12 DVI trained officers were deployed over the stated period. These incidents were transport and industrial related.
- Which department or unit within the force is responsible for DVI planning and deployment.
Q3 response: Central Operations Support - Tactical Planning.
- The typical length of service an officer/staff member remains active on the DVI roster once trained (e.g., average number of years, or whether there is a set term).
Q4 response: No specific recorded information held in relation to the typical length of service. Outside of the Act and as a gesture of goodwill I can advise that Warwickshire Police does not have a tenure for DVI trained officers; however, the business area has advised that most remain on the cadre for over 5 years.
- Whether your force applies any suitability checks or criteria prior to deployment of DVI-trained officers (e.g., health, psychological readiness, or operational availability).
Q5 response: Warwickshire Police use pre-training checks conducted by medical staff, both physical and psychological, and these are updated on a regular basis. In addition, it is a part of the pre-deployment process.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is as accurate as possible.
Your attention is drawn to the below which details your right of complaint.
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write or email the Freedom of Information Unit quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Freedom of Information Officer
Freedom of Information Unit
Warwickshire Police
PO Box 4
Leek Wootton
Warwickshire
CV35 7QB