Abu Dhabi Police enhance disaster response with specialized DVI training
Participants were introduced to the specialized tasks of CSI teams in evidence collection
The Crisis and Disaster Management Department at Abu Dhabi Police has conducted a series of advanced specialized training courses in the field of Disaster Victim Identification (DVI). These included courses on Crime Scene Investigation for DVI (CSI-DVI), information collection, ante-mortem identification procedures, and legal aspects of DVI. The programs were delivered in partnership with the European Training Centre for Disaster Victim Identification (ETAF), and involved the participation of officers and specialists working in emergency response and field operations.
Brigadier General Mohammed Dhahi Al-Hamiri, Director of the Central Operations Sector at Abu Dhabi Police, stated that the courses fall within the comprehensive training plan of Abu Dhabi Police to enhance the preparedness and technical competence of its field personnel in accordance with the highest international standards, especially the INTERPOL DVI protocols. These efforts aim to strengthen the integrated emergency response system.
Brigadier General Ahmed Nasser Al-Kindi, Director of the Crisis and Disaster Management Department and Head of the DVI Team, emphasized that building the capabilities of the team reflects Abu Dhabi Police’s strategic approach to supporting humanitarian efforts and achieving excellence in specialized police work. He praised the importance of international partnerships, such as the collaboration with ETAF, in establishing an interconnected and efficient response framework.
He also noted that implementing such training programs reflects Abu Dhabi Police’s commitment to operational and humanitarian excellence, enhancing the ability of specialized teams to manage major incidents, including forensic documentation, analysis, victim-family liaison, and establishing a unified operational language across agencies.
Participants were introduced to the specialized tasks of CSI teams in evidence collection and documentation, the role of Family Liaison Officers (FLOs) in providing support and coordination with victims’ families, as well as practical exercises in identification mechanisms and information exchange with local and international partners.
At the conclusion of the training, Brigadier General Dr. Rashid Mohammed Borshaid Al-Naqbi, Deputy Director of the Saif Bin Zayed Academy for Police and Security Sciences, presented certificates to the graduates. He emphasized the importance of continuing advanced training programs to ensure sustainable readiness in dealing with all types of disasters and emergencies.
Summary of the training course
Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) is the systematic process used to identify victims of mass-casualty incidents, whether caused by natural disasters or human actions.
INTERPOL protocols
Major disasters—such as earthquakes or terrorist attacks—can result in the deaths of individuals from various countries and may damage or overwhelm the affected country’s emergency response infrastructure.
Coordinated international efforts can significantly accelerate victim recovery and identification processes, allowing families to begin the healing process and helping communities to rebuild.
INTERPOL expertise support
Member countries can request INTERPOL’s support in DVI operations following a disaster. Support services include:
Assistance from the Command and Coordination Centre (CCC)
Deployment of an Incident Response Team (IRT) for on-site support, including access to INTERPOL’s databases
Coordination with international organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Downloadable INTERPOL DVI forms and guidelines
DVI software tools
In most cases, visual identification is not sufficient. Confirming a victim’s identity typically requires scientific methods such as fingerprint analysis, dental records, or DNA samples.
Setting international standards
INTERPOL’s DVI activities are supported by a working group of forensic experts who meet twice a year to review and update procedures and standards.
This group publishes the INTERPOL DVI Guide, which is the only globally accepted standard for DVI protocols. Originally issued in 1984, the guide is updated every five years, with the latest edition published in 2023.
Key areas addressed by DVI policies and training programs include:
Victim care and family support
Professional support for DVI teams
Adherence to international standards and quality assurance for forensic evidence
Information dissemination and data exchange
On-ground assistance for countries lacking DVI capabilities
Open vs. closed disasters
DVI teams are deployed in both open and closed disaster scenarios:
Open Disasters: Incidents where the number of victims is unknown, such as natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, wildfires) or large-scale terrorist attacks.
Closed Disasters: Events where the number of victims is known or can be reasonably determined, such as airplane crashes (with a known passenger manifest).
Mixed Disasters: Incidents involving both open and closed elements, such as an airplane crash in a residential area.
This training initiative underscores Abu Dhabi Police’s strategic commitment to maintaining world-class readiness and enhancing the humanitarian, legal, and forensic dimensions of emergency and disaster response.
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