Information about the role of a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear disaster victim identification officer, including the role purpose, key responsibilities and the skills required.
About the role
A chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) disaster victim identification (DVI) officer is a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear position within the operational support sector of policing. It's a service deliverer role in the policing professional profiles.
Role purpose
The CBRN DVI Officer supports the recovery and identification of contaminated fatalities from crime scenes that involve or are suspected to involve CBRN or other potentially hazardous materials that require the use of specialist protective equipment and techniques.
The officer will use specialist, approved techniques to visualise, capture and recover digital and trace evidence, and gather information and intelligence as part of an investigation.
Key responsibilities
- Applying specialist methods and techniques to the handling of potentially contaminated fatalities to minimise the risks of contamination and to ensure the preservation of evidence.
- Engaging with and supporting the requirements of a forensic strategy to support the investigation and maximise evidence collection potential.
- Recovering and supporting the identification of contaminated fatalities in line with Interpol standards and the key Lord Justice Clarke principles ensuring all victims are recovered in a dignified manner and identified in line with INTERPOL standards.
- Handling exhibits from investigations in line with agreed protocols to maintain the integrity, continuity and security of the evidence for the purpose of investigative processes and court proceedings.
- Assisting with the advancement of the investigation by observing, assessing and recovering items from the immediate environment ensuring all findings are available for the wider investigation.
- Complying with all applicable specialist health and safety legislation and regulations ensuring safe working practices in relation to crime scene investigation.
Competencies, values and core skills
The competency and values framework (CVF) provides clear expectations for everyone working in policing. It describes the behaviours required by police officers and staff to be effective in their roles and uphold the Code of Ethics for policing.
Competencies
The CVF has six competencies, which are split into levels. These levels can be used flexibly to allow for a better fit with frontline and non-frontline policing roles, and at different levels of seniority. This ensures that there is consistency throughout all the policing professional profiles. Some roles may contain different CVF levels due to the specialist nature of the role. Those working at higher levels should also fulfil the requirements of the lower levels.
This role should be operating at or working towards the following competencies.
- We are emotionally aware – Level 1: practitioner
- We take ownership – Level 1: practitioner
- We collaborate – Level 1: practitioner
- We support and inspire – Level 1: practitioner
- We analyse critically – Level 1: practitioner
- We are innovative and open-minded – Level 1: practitioner
Values
The CVF has three values that apply to everyone in policing, regardless of their role or seniority.
Core skills
All roles in policing have nine core skills in common. These are split into levels that represent the different levels of policing. This role should be operating at or working towards the following core skills.
- Communicating and influencing – Level 1
- Problem solving – Level 1
- Performance management – Level 1
- Relationship management – Level 1
- Change management – Level 1
- Managing people – Level 1
- Managing resources – Level 1
- Planning – Level 1
- Use of IT – Level 1
Education, qualifications and experience
Previous education, qualifications and experience
- Demonstrable experience of complex information gathering using a range of techniques.
- An understanding of the criminal justice system.
- Completed the College of Policing disaster victim identification (DVI) foundation course.
- Completed the national CBRN initial responder course.
- Completed national UKDVI CBRN contaminated fatalities course.
Continuing professional development
Continuing professional development (CPD) enables everyone in policing to develop and gain recognition for their professional skills, knowledge and competence. CPD ensures that we continue to provide high-quality policing to keep the public safe and help to drive career aspirations. Discussion of CPD is usually included as part of professional development review (PDR) conversations.
Learning and accreditation
- Complete all annual and mandatory training.
- Attend relevant CBRN responder CPD event once every 12 months to maintain occupational competence and operational deployability.
- Attend relevant DVI refresher CPD event once every 24 months to maintain occupational competence and operational deployability.
- Attend the mandated contaminated fatalities refresher programme once every 24 months to maintain occupational and operational competence.
- Any exemptions to learning and accreditation requirements are at chief constable discretion, in line with the local force policy.
Professional development
This role should consider the following CPD:
- keeping up to date with national guidance to your core duties
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