The 'Marchioness' Riverboat Disaster, August 20, 1989

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the disaster victim identification (DVI) processes undertaken following the sinking of the 'Marchioness' passenger vessel, which collided with the dredger 'Bowbelle' on the River Thames, on August 20, 1989. A total of 51 people died as a result of this incident. The responding force was the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), the largest police force in the United Kingdom with excess of 25,000 officers at the time of the accident (Figure 10.1). This incident is of additional significance in terms of legislation due to the subsequent public inquiry undertaken by Lord Justice Kenneth Clarke (2001) and his influential recommendations.