and should be coordinated with an administrativefact-finding body. Normally, the need for theseoperations results from acts of violence, such as anaircraft accident, fire, explosion, or natural disaster.The Manual of the Judge Advocate General(JAGMAN), JAGINST 5800.7, requires theconvening of an administrative fact-finding bodyw h e n i n c i d e n t s o f t h i s n a t u r e o c c u r. T h i sresponsibility is usually delegated to a naval activitywith necessary capabilities at or near the scene ofdisaster. In establishing identification of remains,search and recovery operations are part of thefact-finding body’s functions, with technicalassistance furnished by appropriate medicalauthorities.SEARCH AND RECOVERYEvery effort should be made to recover all remains.In disasters such as aircraft accidents, fires,explosions, etc., involving the death of naval membersand members of other services, notify the Bureau ofMedicine and Surgery (BUMED) and MEDDENAffairs by priority message. This assures immediateinterdepartmental cooperation and the early dispatchof necessary supplies, equipment, medical and dentalrecords, and technical personnel. The priority messageshould include the following information:Name, grade or rate, and social security numberof all personnel believed dead or missingNames of those personnel already identified andmethod of identificationNames of those personnel tentatively alreadypositively identified, and whether remains areanatomically intactType and quantity of mortuary supplies, transfercases, chemicals, and other equipment requiredWhether technical help is desiredDo not release information to the NOK, family, ornews media unless specific instructions are receivedfrom BUMED and MEDDEN Affairs to do so.When search, recovery, and identificationoperations continue for more than 36 hours,chronological progress reports should be dispatchedevery 24 hours to BUMED and MEDDEN Affairs,with the appropriate information addressees directedby NAVMEDCOMINST 5360.1.IDENTIFICATIONWhen the CO is satisfied that identification hasbeen established beyond doubt and documentedaccordingly, the remains may be considered identified.A minimum of two statements of recognition,substantiated by dental and/or fingerprint comparisonor intact remains, will substantiate identificationrequirements.MEDDEN Affairs will establish final conclusionsand take action required for final disposition of theseremains if shipped from outside CONUS to CONUS.Disposition of unidentified remains will be directed bythe MEDDEN Affairs or the CMC, as appropriate.After thorough study of all evidence, finalconclusions made by MEDDEN Affairs will result inone of the following determinations:Identification of the remainsUnidentified, but believed to be a specificindividualUnidentified, unknownGroup remains, known individualsGroup remains, unknown individualsWhen an autopsy of remains is required orrequested, the identification specialist should schedulethe autopsy to be performed during the identificationprocess or immediately following. This will precludeany delays in releasing the body for burial and makesure that methods of identification are included in theautopsy report.Personal effects found on or with remains, afterhaving served all identification purposes, will bedisposed of in accordance with current instructionscontained in the Naval Supply Manual, NAVSUPP-485, or the MARCORCASPROCMAN, MCOP3040.4, as appropriate.IDENTIFICATION PROBLEMSAll remains, except those that have been positivelyidentified and are anatomically complete, will requireadditional study and processing by an identificationspecialist. The MEDDEN Affairs may be requested toprovide an identification specialist to visit the activityand make a complete review, to assure that all possibletechniques, methods, and procedures have been usedto provide a positive identification. The CMC shouldbe an information addressee when members of theMarine Corps may be involved. When members of16-5
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