News story

New commitment on assistance in cases of murder or manslaughter overseas

A new memorandum of understanding (MoU) ensures that UK authorities provide an agreed standard of assistance to the deceased, their families and next of kin.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The FCO, the UK Police and the Coroners of England and Wales may all have a role to play when a British National dies overseas as a result of murder, manslaughter or infanticide abroad. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) which ensures that these UK authorities provide an agreed standard of assistance to the deceased, their families and next of kin has just been signed.

MOU - agreed levels of service FCO/Coroners/Police [PDF, 874.2 Kb]

The MoU helps clarify the role of the FCO, the UK police and the Coroners of England and Wales. It focuses on both the deceased and their family when a British national dies in these circumstances. It explains what the minimum standards of help from these authorities are.

The MoU draws on the FCO’s publications “Support for British nationals abroad: A guide” and “Guide for bereaved families”, the NPIA Murder Investigation Manual 2006 [PDF] and the NPIA Family Liaison Officer (FLO) Guidance 2008.

Published 14 September 2012