thedrifter
12-20-07, 09:23 AM
Relatives of troops who commit suicide must file requests to get data about the circumstances
By: Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- It can take months -- even years -- for families of troops who kill themselves in Iraq and Afghanistan to learn about the circumstances leading up to the death, including if there's a suicide note.
To obtain all investigative materials, families are required to file one or more Freedom of Information Act requests.
Following each non-combat death in Iraq, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command does an investigation. In addition, a suicide event report is filled out with details about the possible cause. The soldier's unit also does an investigation.
Families are usually notified of the overall findings, but may only obtain a copy of the entire, detailed report under an expedited Freedom of Information Act request. Christopher Grey, director of public information for U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, said families are required to fill out a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain a copy of the his agency's investigation because some families don't want the information. In addition, he said the paperwork has to be edited to delete information such as the investigating officers' names.
Ellie
By: Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- It can take months -- even years -- for families of troops who kill themselves in Iraq and Afghanistan to learn about the circumstances leading up to the death, including if there's a suicide note.
To obtain all investigative materials, families are required to file one or more Freedom of Information Act requests.
Following each non-combat death in Iraq, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command does an investigation. In addition, a suicide event report is filled out with details about the possible cause. The soldier's unit also does an investigation.
Families are usually notified of the overall findings, but may only obtain a copy of the entire, detailed report under an expedited Freedom of Information Act request. Christopher Grey, director of public information for U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, said families are required to fill out a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain a copy of the his agency's investigation because some families don't want the information. In addition, he said the paperwork has to be edited to delete information such as the investigating officers' names.
Ellie