and should be coordinated with an administrative fact-finding body. Normally, the need for these operations results from acts of violence, such as an aircraft accident, fire, explosion, or natural disaster. The Manual of the Judge Advocate General (JAGMAN), JAGINST 5800.7, requires the convening of an administrative fact-finding body w 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 s responsibility is usually delegated to a naval activity with necessary capabilities at or near the scene of disaster. In establishing identification of remains, search and recovery operations are part of the fact-finding body’s functions, with technical assistance furnished by appropriate medical authorities. SEARCH AND RECOVERY Every effort should be made to recover all remains. In disasters such as aircraft accidents, fires, explosions, etc., involving the death of naval members and members of other services, notify the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) and MEDDEN Affairs by priority message. This assures immediate interdepartmental cooperation and the early dispatch of necessary supplies, equipment, medical and dental records, and technical personnel. The priority message should include the following information:  Name, grade or rate, and social security number of all personnel believed dead or missing  Names of those personnel already identified and method of identification  Names of those personnel tentatively already positively identified, and whether remains are anatomically intact  Type and quantity of mortuary supplies, transfer cases, chemicals, and other equipment required  Whether technical help is desired Do not release information to the NOK, family, or news media unless specific instructions are received from BUMED and MEDDEN Affairs to do so. When search, recovery, and identification operations continue for more than 36 hours, chronological progress reports should be dispatched every 24 hours to BUMED and MEDDEN Affairs, with the appropriate information addressees directed by NAVMEDCOMINST 5360.1. IDENTIFICATION When the CO is satisfied that identification has been established beyond doubt and documented accordingly, the remains may be considered identified. A minimum of two statements of recognition, substantiated by dental and/or fingerprint comparison or intact remains, will substantiate identification requirements. MEDDEN Affairs will establish final conclusions and take action required for final disposition of these remains if shipped from outside CONUS to CONUS. Disposition of unidentified remains will be directed by the MEDDEN Affairs or the CMC, as appropriate. After thorough study of all evidence, final conclusions made by MEDDEN Affairs will result in one of the following determinations:  Identification of the remains  Unidentified, but believed to be a specific individual  Unidentified, unknown  Group remains, known individuals  Group remains, unknown individuals When an autopsy of remains is required or requested, the identification specialist should schedule the autopsy to be performed during the identification process or immediately following. This will preclude any delays in releasing the body for burial and make sure that methods of identification are included in the autopsy report. Personal effects found on or with remains, after having served all identification purposes, will be disposed of in accordance with current instructions contained in the Naval Supply Manual, NAVSUP P-485, or the MARCORCASPROCMAN, MCO P3040.4, as appropriate. IDENTIFICATION PROBLEMS All remains, except those that have been positively identified and are anatomically complete, will require additional study and processing by an identification specialist. The MEDDEN Affairs may be requested to provide an identification specialist to visit the activity and make a complete review, to assure that all possible techniques, methods, and procedures have been used to provide a positive identification. The CMC should be an information addressee when members of the Marine Corps may be involved. When members of 16-5