The DHR process was introduced in England and Wales in 2011 under section 9 of the Domestic Violence, Crimes and Victims Act 2004 and its introduction in Northern Ireland was a key priority of former justice minister Claire Sugden.

The purpose of the process is to establish what lessons, if any, are to be learned regarding the way in which local professionals and organisations worked individually and together to safeguard the victim. It will also consider any contact or work with the alleged perpetrator/perpetrator.

The Department of Justice is now seeking to establish a pool of three individuals who have the qualities and experience needed, coupled with a strong commitment to improving practice, to independently chair and undertake DHRs locally.

Each review will be allocated to an independent chair, assisted by a multi-agency panel, based on capacity.

The establishment of a pool of independent chairs is a key stage in the introduction of the DHR model in Northern Ireland, the Department said.

Permanent secretary Peter May said: “Since 2010 on average five people are killed every year in Northern Ireland by a current or former partner or close family member.

“Each homicide is a tragedy and it is essential that we do all that we can to learn lessons, ultimately with a view to preventing domestic violence and abuse and domestic homicide happening in the future.”