ARMY DIR 2026-15 — Line Of Duty Investigations And Determinations In Death Cases
ARMY DIR 2026-15 governs line of duty investigations and determinations in death cases across Army components.
- Publication number: ARMY DIR 2026-15
- Title: LINE OF DUTY INVESTIGATIONS AND DETERMINATIONS IN DEATH CASES
- Date: 06/23/2026
- Proponent: ASA (M&RA)
- Status: ACTIVE
View ARMY DIR 2026-15 on armypubs.army.mil
It sets submission and completion timelines for formal and informal death LOD investigations, addresses missing reports, and establishes priority over AR 156 investigations. It also identifies exceptions to formal investigations, HRC authority for presumptive determinations, and the directive’s duration.
Applies to: This directive applies to the Regular Army, Army National Guard (ARNG)/ Army National Guard of the United States, and U.S. Army Reserve (USAR).
Topics covered
- Death LOD investigations
- Formal LOD exceptions
- Presumptive in line of duty determinations
- LOD investigation deadlines
- AR 156 investigation priority
- Missing investigative reports
Questions and answers
How long does a formal death LOD investigation take to submit?
Commanders will prioritize investigative resources to ensure that all formal death LOD investigations are conducted and submitted with all available documentation to the Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Division (CMAOD) within 179 calendar days after the date of death. (paragraph 4)
What is the deadline for completing an informal LOD investigation?
The requirement for completing an informal LOD investigation is no more than 60 days from the date of death. (paragraph 4)
What happens when reports or a death certificate are missing from a death LOD investigation?
The approval authority will make a recommended finding for formal and informal LOD investigations in the absence of reports (including toxicology and police reports or death certificate) and consider the facts present at the time. (paragraph 4)
Who can make a presumptive in line of duty determination without a death certificate?
HRC is exclusively authorized to make a presumptive in line of duty (PILD) determination without a death certificate when the cause of death is determined to be natural, attributable solely or predominantly to disease and/or the aging process. (paragraph 4)
What form must the command include in every death LOD investigation?
In all cases, the command must include the Department of the Army Form 2173 (Statement of Medical Examination and Duty Status). (paragraph 4)