§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the procedure is for distribution of homicide information packs by family liaison police officers to families of murder victims. [53263]
(2) how many homicide information packs were handed out by family liaison police officers in the last year. [53262]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 29 April 2002]: The exact figures as to how many of the Home Office pack "Information for Families of Homicide Victims" are handed out by police family liaison officers (FLOs) are not available.
In cases of homicide, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) family liaison strategy states that FLOs should provide the pack to one or more family members at as early a stage as possible in order for bereaved people to establish some control over their access to the information. The FLO's own knowledge of the criminal justice system and coroners' processes should be used as appropriate to suggest to a family member that they may look at the pack or part of it, on their own, with another family member, with the FLO, or with Victim Support, as issues arise for them. Furthermore, the obligation of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in explaining any decisions made in accordance with its Victim's Charter should be explained and, where appropriate, a meeting facilitated.