Latest changes to APP

APP is subject to review (either scheduled or triggered) in consultation with the relevant National Policing Business Area. All amendments go through a review process and further information is available from contactus@college.police.uk

More detailed changes to APP content may be recorded separately by the the APP team. If you require a copy of APP as it was on a particular date (for example, for an enquiry) please email contactcentre@college.police.uk. All requests must be approved by the relevant Policing Standards Manager.

Category

Guidance name

Download these changes

Date	Category	Guidance	Changes
10 February 2025	Civil emergencies > Disaster victim identification	Additional arrangements for contaminated fatalities	Diagram added the the bottom of the page as well as a link to the CBRN contaminated fatalities briefing guide.
7 February 2025	Civil emergencies > Disaster victim identification	Additional arrangements for contaminated fatalities	Title of the page has changed from 'Additional arrangements for contaminated fatalities' to 'Dealing with contaminated fatalities' CBRN incident section has been redrafted The last bullet point has been changed from: 'the needs of the bereaved families are taken into account in the disaster victim identification (DVI) process, without jeopardising the safety of the family or other responders involved in the process' To: 'the needs of the bereaved families are taken into account in the disaster victim identification (DVI) process'
7 February 2025	Civil emergencies > Disaster victim identification	National and international arrangements	New section added: Crisis management department National Police Coordination Centre has merged with UK DVI and sits under the heading 'UK disaster victim identification' 'Police regions' section has been redrafted
7 February 2025	Civil emergencies > Disaster victim identification	Recovering and identifying the deceased and human remains	Contents has been restructured and updated throughout. Recognition of life extinct section has been reworded to 'Termination of life and verification of death' Family liaison - reworded and content added Family liaison objectives section added Antemortem sample collection section added and more info included New sections added: Support for families Getting hep and further support National homicide service National emergencies trust Documentation in the mortuary - reworded and content added 'Identification evidence' title changed to 'Internationally agreed methods of identification evidence' 'Removing human remains and taking samples' title changed to 'Investigative human samples' Reconciliation investigation unit - reworded and content added New section added under 'Reconciliation files' Identification board or commission - reworded and content added Multiple links updated thoughout
7 February 2025	Civil emergencies > Disaster victim identification	Social needs and media considerations	Title of the page has changed from 'Social needs and media considerations' to 'The requirement of faith communities' Faith communities section has been redrafted Independent advisory groups section has been added 'The media' section has been changed to 'communications and social media strategy' and has been redrafted
28 January 2025	Civil emergencies > Disaster victim identification	DVI roles and responsibilities	Changes throughout DVI roles and responsibilities as part of general maintenance.
27 January 2025	Detention and custody	Detention and custody risk assessment	The Police National Database (PND) section has been removed and replaced with the following paragraph: Where no information is available, Custody Officers and/or Investigating officers should perform checks with other forces using the PND to check for any information that may influence the care plan for a detainee in custody at this time. This is particularly relevant for detainees who reside outside of that force area.
23 January 2025	Detention and custody	Custody management and planning	Under the heading 'Information sharing in custody' the following 2 paragraphs have been removed: 'The Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody (IAP) information sharing statement has been agreed by the Ministerial Board on Deaths in Custody and the General Medical Council (GMC). Police forces and all those working in custody should pay due regard to this statement where there is any potential conflict between confidentiality and preventing harm.' And replaced with the following sentence: 'Police forces should make use of existing information sharing statements within and between custodial agencies and services.'
23 January 2025	Detention and custody	Detention and custody risk assessment	Updated the link to the guidance on managing acute behavioural disturbance.
23 January 2025	Major investigation and public protection	Stalking or harassment	Stalking or harassment advice for police responders PDF replaced for Jan 2025 version.