Audit of the Management of Organs Retained for Forensic Examination by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner

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Date Issued

Monday, March 18, 2024

Submitting OIG

Department of Defense OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Department of Defense OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of Defense

Report Number

DODIG-2024-062

Report Type

Audit

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Open Recommendations

This report has 5 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
D-2024-0062-D000AU-0001-0001.A1b	No	$0	$0
(U) Rec. A.1.b: The DoD OIG recommended that the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness update and implement retained organ policy to align with current policy and practice related to retained organs and specimens.
D-2024-0062-D000AU-0001-0001.A1c	No	$0	$0
(U) Rec. A.1.c: The DoD OIG recommended that the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness continue to honor, to the extent practicable and consistent with section 1471, title 10, United States Code and current policy, proactive and timely requests from next of kin for religious accommodations related to forensic pathology investigations and disposition of remains. This includes updating and implementing the policy that retained organs and specimens are to be treated in the same manner as remains, when honoring religious accommodation.
D-2024-0062-D000AU-0001-0002.A2	No	$0	$0
(U) Rec. A.2: The DoD OIG recommended that the Director, Defense Health Agency, after the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness updates and implements policy, develop and implement Armed Forces Medical Examiner System policy, processes, and procedures related to retained organs or specimens.
D-2024-0062-D000AU-0002-0001.B1b	No	$0	$0
(U) Rec. B.1.b: The DoD OIG recommended that the Director, Defense Health Agency consider the impact of separate disposition for organs because different specialty consultations were needed, versus disposition of decedent's retained organs together, and develop and implement policy and procedures accordingly.
D-2024-0062-D000AU-0002-0001.B1d	No	$0	$0
(U) Rec. B.1.d: The DoD OIG recommended that the Director, Defense Health Agency update and implement system capabilities to allow Armed Forces Medical Examiner System officials to effectively and efficiently track the progression of retained organ (specimens) from collection through disposition.