THE work of family liaison officers (FLOs) is to be put under the spotlight at a conference organised by Northumbria Police.

The conference, FLOs in the 21st Century, will draw together senior detectives and trained FLOs from the Northumbria force as well as officers from six neighbouring police forces.

Other speakers will include coroners' officers, emergency planning experts and representatives from the Crown Prosecution Service, Victim Support, and the Probation Service.

Family liaison officers play a key role in supporting the families of victims in the event of a murder, road deaths or major incident.

Detective Superintendent Barbara Franklin, who is co-ordinating the conference, which takes place on Monday at Newcastle's Centre for Life, said: "Family liaison officers provide a crucial link between the bereaved families of victims and police investigations."

Northumbria was one of the first forces in the UK to provide structured training for family liaison officers and the force currently has 70 FLOs.