Support for Military
Quick guidance & answers
When a service member dies, investigations may provide clarity and accountability, while ensuring survivors receive the benefits they deserve. These reviews determine whether the death occurred in the line of duty, as well as examine circumstances and identify safety issues to prevent future tragedies.
A casualty assistance officer can assist you with requesting a copy of an investigative report. The Freedom of Information Act gives you that right.
Investigators may ask personal questions. You don’t have to answer anything that makes you uncomfortable, but cooperation can speed up the process.
This eTutorial provides general information about investigations that might be conducted after accidents or incidents that involved the death of a loved one. You’ll also learn about information provided to the primary next of kin upon request.
Ask your casualty assistance officer or Military Criminal Investigation Organization family liaison how to request a report. They’ll explain paperwork and waiting periods — investigations can take up to a year or more. Upon request, the Service concerned will provide a qualified representative to answer any questions about the investigation reports.
Once an investigation is complete, survivors might be able to request copies of investigative reports. For many of the reports, you will need to submit a FOIA request. Below is the contact information for the primary FOIA offices for the military services. Additional agency information can be found at the FOIA website.
When a service member dies, several types of investigations, such as the ones listed below, can help clarify circumstances and ensure accountability.
When an incident involves the loss of life, each service branch may use its specialized criminal investigative services to investigate what happened, which is listed below.
Other types of investigations — such as medical, safety, command-directed and line of duty — are conducted by different authorities, including medical examiners, safety boards and commanding officers.
Federal role
The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, or AFMES, is the Department of War’s primary forensic authority for investigating military deaths, analyzing evidence, identifying remains, monitoring mortality trends and supporting criminal and civil investigations.
AFMES conducts autopsies and scene investigations worldwide, ensuring accurate identification and evidence handling. Federal law also guarantees survivors access to reports through FOIA, reinforcing transparency.
A team of board-certified forensic pathologists, anthropologists, death investigators and photographers handles evidence — and is able to deploy within four to 48 hours.
Local law enforcement/coroner/medical examiner
For cases occurring within the United States — state, county or parish authorities may have jurisdiction. This means:
An autopsy report summarizes the findings from an autopsy. It describes any diseases or injuries identified and may include the results of laboratory testing, such as toxicology.
The report also documents the cause of death, which is the specific injury or illness that led to death, and the manner of death, such as natural, accidental, suicide or homicide.
Information in an autopsy report may be used for insurance claims and other legal purposes.
In most cases, the legal next of kin may request a copy of the autopsy report. The process for requesting the report varies by location but usually requires submitting a written request to the medical examiner’s or coroner’s office.
It is a system the DOW uses to collect and track information about suicide-related events among service members.
Here’s what it does:
The Days Ahead: Essential Papers for Families of Deceased Service Members provides several key resources to help survivors during a very difficult time.
Learn about military bases worldwide. Get installation overviews, check-in procedures, housing, contacts for programs and services, photos and more.
