AR 600-8-4 — Line Of Duty Policy, Procedures, And Investigations
AR 600-8-4 governs investigations of Soldier injury, illness, disease, or death and the standards for line of duty determinations.
- Publication number: AR 600-8-4
- Title: LINE OF DUTY POLICY, PROCEDURES, AND INVESTIGATIONS
- Date: 11/12/2020
- Proponent: G-1
- Status: ACTIVE
View AR 600-8-4 on armypubs.army.mil
Related publications
It addresses informal and formal investigations, evidence collection, appointing and reviewing authorities, appeals, and special circumstances. It requires consideration of all evidence and written notification when a not in line of duty finding is proposed.
Topics covered
- Line of duty investigations
- Informal investigations
- Formal investigations
- Line of duty determinations
- Evidence collection
- Mental responsibility
- Suicide and attempted suicide
- Reserve Component procedures
Questions and answers
How is an injury, illness, disease, or death presumed for a line of duty determination?
A Soldiers injury, illness, disease, or death is presumed to have occurred ILD unless rebutted by the evidence. (paragraph 1-15)
Does simple negligence make an injury not in line of duty?
Simple negligence, alone, does not constitute misconduct and is, therefore, still considered to be ILD. (paragraph 1-15)
What evidence must be considered in a line of duty determination?
No distinction will be made between the relative value of direct and indirect evidence. (paragraph 1-15)
When must a Soldier be notified of a proposed not in line of duty finding?
The first time a NLD finding is being contemplated against a Soldier in an injury, illness, or disease case, at any level, the individual considering the finding (IO, appointing authority, or approving authority) will notify the Soldier in writing of the proposed NLD finding and provide a copy of any supporting documents before the approval authority makes the official NLD finding. (paragraph 2-61)
How long does a Soldier normally have to rebut a proposed not in line of duty finding?
Once the initial notification has been made, the Soldier must be given ample time to rebut, normally 30 days, but the time period allowed is at the discretion of the individual providing the notification (IO, appointing authority, or approving authority). (paragraph 2-61)