POW/MIA DEFINITIONS
AIR - Acronym for Additional Information Report.
ART - Acronym for Archival Research Team.
ATL - Acronym for Assistant Team Leader.
Additional Information Report (AIR) - A report format used by field teams to report information obtained on a case not in their investigation plan. Archival Research Team - A small team that operates in Laos independent of Joint Field Activities (JFAs) and is charged with researching Lao archives (e.g., libraries, museums, film storage facilities, etc.).
Arrival Ceremony - A ceremony hosted by U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) to render honors to remains returning to U. S. soil. Normally conducted at Hickam AFB; follows the formal turn-over of remains (repatriation ceremony) in Southeast Asia (SEA).
Assistant Team Leader (ATL) - The team member designated to assist the team leader and act as team leader in his absence.
CILHI - Acronym for Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii.
Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii (CILHI) - The U.S. Army organization responsible for conducting excavations of sites associated with the losses of unaccounted-for Americans and for the forensic examination and identification of remains believed to be associated with unaccounted-for Americans.
Channel Flight - A regularly scheduled U.S. Air Force flight flown to provide support to U.S. missions abroad.
Comprehensive Review - A semi-annual meeting during which DPMO and JTF-FA analysts review all existing leads for validity and assignment of responsibility.
Consultative Talks - Regularly scheduled formal bilateral meetings conducted in Laos to discuss issues relevant to the issue of unaccounted-for Americans. These talks are functionally identical to Technical Talks; however, the term "consultative" was initially preferred by the Lao government.
Coordination Conference - An ongoing review process, involving JTF-FA, DPMO, and CILHI analysts, to analyze the results of investigation, excavation and research activities including host country unilateral actions relating to specific cases, determine changes to case categories and define next steps for achieving the fullest possible accounting.
DIA - Acronym for the Defense Intelligence Agency.
DIA-SB - Acronym for Defense Intelligence Agency-Stony Beach.
DPMO - Acronym for Defense PW-MIA Office.
DRE - Acronym for Detailed Report of Excavation.
DRI - Acronym for Detailed Report of Investigation.
Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) - An intelligence collection agency of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The PW-MIA section of this agency formed the basis for the present DPMO, which is directly subordinate to DOD. Defense PW-MIA Office (DPMO) - An organization directly subordinate to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) responsible for all-source analysis of information concerning unaccounted-for Americans. This organization was formed with assets which were previously subordinate to the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Deferred - A term used to categorize cases based on the comprehensive review. Defines cases where the investigation process has exhausted all leads with no avenues of pursuit identified. Additional information is required to develop new leads.
Dentition - "The type, number, and arrangement of teeth, esp. in animals." In the context of JTF-FA/CILHI reports, this normally refers to teeth in the generic sense and is typically used only to indicate their presence or absence when discussing remains.
Detailed Report of Excavation (DRE) - The report, prepared in message format, which documents in detail the excavation of a specific case and relates the information obtained during that process.
Detailed Report of Investigation (DRI) - The report, prepared in message format, which documents in detail the investigation or re-investigation of a particular incident or case and relates the information obtained during that process.
EOD - Acronym for Explosive Ordnance Disposal.
Excavation - The proper and precise term for the physical act of digging a site using archaeological methodology. Often used interchangeably with Recovery, this term is preferred in written reports.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal - The career field (all four services) that provides specialists in detecting, marking, and disposing of unexploded ordnance (mines, ammunition, bombs, bomblets, missiles, etc.). EOD technicians can augment both investigative and recovery elements.
FIR - Acronym for Field Investigation Report.
Field Investigation Report (FIR) - A term previously used interchangeably with Detailed Report of Investigation (DRI). This term is no longer used. Firsthand - An adjective indicating actual individual participation or presence. A "firsthand account" is a description of an event provided by someone who personally witnessed it.
Grid - In excavations, the matrix of square or rectangular divisions constructed over a site to map it and divide it into sections. This term can also be used to refer to an individual section of such a matrix.
HF - Acronym for High Frequency.
Hearsay - Information which is obtained from the accounts of others rather than by personal observation.
High Frequency - That band of radio waves (2 - 30 MHz) that allow transmission of both ground and air waves. HF communications via AN/PRC-132 and HF-100 are the primary means of passing information between field teams and the detachment headquarters in Vietnam, and the back-up means for both Cambodia and Laos.
IE - Acronym for Investigation Element.
IRDB - Acronym for Investigation/Recovery Decision Brief.
IRT - Acronym for Investigation And Recovery Team.
Identification Media - A collective term used when referring to the various types of personal identification that might be associated with an unaccounted-for personnel. This includes, but is not limited to, dog tags, military identification cards, Geneva convention cards, driver's licenses, credit cards, and organizational membership cards. Interview - The act of questioning an individual to obtain specific information.
Investigate, Investigation - "To observe or inquire into in detail. To make a systematic inquiry or examination." In the context of JTF-FA operations, an investigation is the initial process of gathering information concerning an incident involving unaccounted-for personnel. This process includes interviewing witnesses, visiting pertinent locations, conducting site surveys, and searching for/examining material and biological evidence.
Investigation Element (IE) - A team with the primary mission of investigating cases involving unaccounted-for personnel.
Investigation and Recovery Team (IRT) - The term used to describe the entire group of personnel, including members of investigation elements and recovery elements, deployed during a particular field activity.
Investigation/Recovery Decision Brief - The final meeting chaired by CJTF-FA prior to each JFA, during which team leaders, CILHI S3 and J3 brief their plan for execution of the JFA. Normally held 30 days prior to each JFA and results in production of the operations order.
JFA - Acronym for Joint Field Activity.
Joint Field Activity (JFA) - A field activity, normally consisting of both investigation and excavation efforts, conducted jointly with counterparts of a host nation.
LKA - Acronym for Last Known Alive.
LSI - Acronym for Live Sighting Investigation/ Investigator.
LST - Acronym for Life Support Technician.
Last Known Alive (LKA) - A term applied to cases in which unaccounted-for personnel were still alive when last observed or contacted. Such cases are given high priority because of the possibility that the individual survived for some time after the loss incident or was captured by hostile forces.
Lead - The investigative requirement, joint or unilateral, to obtain information for achieving the fullest possible accounting of unaccounted for personnel. One case may have multiple leads.
Life Support Technician - The career field (USAF and USN) that specializes in ejection seats, parachutes, and pilot life support. LSTs can augment both investigative and recovery elements and provide on-site analysis of aircraft wreckage.
Live Sighting Investigation/Investigator (LSI) - An investigation of incidents or information concerning unaccounted-for personnel who are believed to have survived their initial loss incidents and remained alive, either in captivity or living freely; the individual, normally a representative of the Defense Intelligence Agency, responsible for conducting such investigations.
MEDCAP - Acronym for Medical Civic Action Program.
MFA - Acronym for Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
MND - Acronym for Ministry of National Defense.
MOI - Acronym for Ministry of Interior.
Material Evidence - A term used to refer to the various types of physical evidence obtained or observed during the process of an investigation or excavation. This typically includes aircraft wreckage, personal effects and equipment, identification media, and remains.
Medical Civic Action Program - A program in which U.S. medical personnel provide medical treatment to the citizens of another country.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) - The host nation equivalent of the U.S. State Department.
Ministry of Interior (MOI) - The host nation government organization responsible for internal security. It oversees all police forces in the host country and all intelligence collection activities.
Ministry of National Defense (MND) - The host nation equivalent of the U.S. Department of Defense.
NLF - Acronym for the National League of Families.
NOK - Acronym for Next of Kin.
National League of Families - An organization comprised of family members of service members and civilians who are unaccounted-for as a result of the war in SEA.
No Further Pursuit - A term used to categorize cases based on the comprehensive review. Defines cases where the individuals perished and regardless of any future effort by the US Government and the governments of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia their cases cannot be resolved through the repatriation of remains.
Next of Kin (NOK) - The closest living relation of an unaccounted-for individual.
OHP - Acronym for Oral History Program.
Operations Order - The formal order that follows the Investigation/Recovery Decision Brief used to task supporting commands that defines: task organization, situation, mission, execution, administration and logistics, and command and signal plans. The Operations Order describes the plan and assigns responsibilities for each JFA. Normally issued 30 days prior to each JFA.
Operations Plan - The annual plan issued by JTF-FA to all supporting and supported commands that describes the plan and assigns responsibilities for execution of JTF-FA operations for each Fiscal Year (FY). Normally issued in the third quarter (APR - JUN) of each year.
Oral History Program (OHP) - A program in which U.S. personnel conduct detailed interviews of Southeast Asian personnel who held key positions during the Vietnam War or in the years following. The objective of this program is to elicit information concerning the fate and disposition of unaccounted-for U.S. personnel and related collateral information.
PAG - Acronym for Public Affairs Guidance.
PAO - Acronym for Public Affairs Officer.
PCIT - Acronym for Priority Case Investigation Team.
Pending - Formerly one of the formal categories in which a particular case may be placed, pending indicates that no active efforts pertaining to this case are scheduled. Further efforts may be conducted if additional information becomes available that would prompt such action. Pending should not be interpreted as resolved or inactive.
Personal Effects - Non-biological artifacts that can be exclusively correlated to a given individual. Examples include: ID card, ID tags, Blood Chit, credit cards, jewelry, etc.
Priority Case Investigation Team (PCIT) - Formerly a special team which operated independent of Joint Field Activities to investigate priority cases.
Prosthesis - An artificial replacement of a limb, tooth, or other part of the body. CILHI reports often use the term Dental Prosthesis when referring to a partial denture, bridge, or other artificial dental device.
Public Affairs Officer (PAO) - The individual responsible for representing an organization during liaison with media correspondents, for preparing press releases detailing significant events, and for preparing Public Affairs Guidance for use by personnel in the organization.
Public Affairs Guidance (PAG) - Written guidance prepared by the Public Affairs Officer for use during media interviews. This guidance provides pertinent statistics and suggested responses to the most commonly asked questions.
RE - Acronym for Recovery Element.
REFNO - Acronym for "reference number", this term refers to the number assigned to each individual incident involving unaccounted-for personnel. It was previously used interchangeably with the term "case;" however, "case" is now the preferred term.
REFNO Folder - The master folder maintained by JTF-FA/J2 containing all information and documentation pertaining to a particular incident involving unaccounted-for personnel. A Refno Folder is maintained for each unaccounted-for individual.
REPAT - Call sign for JTF-FA mission support aircraft. Strategic airlifters (C-141, C-17) use the fiscal year for a suffix (I.E., "REPAT 98") while tactical aircraft (C-130) are numbered in sequence (i.e., "REPAT 39").
RIT - Acronym for Research and Investigation Team.
Receive - To obtain something by having it given to you by another party. This should be differentiated from Recover in JTF-FA reports to avoid confusion concerning the method of acquisition of an item.
Recommendation - A formal suggestion concerning the status of a particular case. Use this term sparingly to avoid confusion; best applied only in the Recommendation paragraph of investigation reports. Currently an Investigation Element team leader can make one of three recommendations:
Excavate, Continue to Investigate, or None.
Recover - Used in the context of JTF-FA reports, this means to discover something during a Search and retain it for further examination. This differs from Receive.
Recovery - A general term often used interchangeably with Excavation.
Excavation is the proper and precise term for the physical act of digging a site using archaeological methodology and is preferred in written reports.
Recovery Element (RE) - A team with the primary mission of conducting excavation operations.
Re-investigation - An investigation effort conducted after an initial investigation. A re-investigation can be a complete effort or confined to satisfying specific objectives. The re-survey of a site already recommended for excavation is a re-investigation.
Remains - Usually, this refers to skeletal remains, the pieces of bone and teeth left after a human being or other vertebrate has decomposed. Repatriation Ceremony - Formal ceremony for turn-over of remains from SEA governments to U. S. custody.
Research and Investigation Team - A special team (Vietnam only) that is charged with investigating Last Known Alive (LKA) cases and conducting OHP interviews.
Restored - When referring to teeth, a tooth which has had a filling, cap, or other type of repair performed on it. Also commonly referred to as a Restoration.
SCRUB - Informal term for JTF-FA/DPMO Coordination Conference.
SATCOM - Acronym for SATellite COMmunications, a communications system that uses satellites to relay signals.
SEA - Acronym for "Southeast Asia."
SR - Acronym for Summary Report.
SRT - Acronym for Special Remains Team.
Search - The physical act of looking for a particular item or items at a specific location.
Set (of remains) - An incorrect term that should not be used in JTF-FA reports or in reference to human remains. A "set" implies that all the remains represented are from the same individual or that a complete skeletal remains is represented. Both of these are determinations that can only be made through detailed forensic analysis. JTF-FA reports should refer to remains generically only. If more than one individual is believed to be represented, phrasing to the effect of "...remains believed to be associated with ## individuals..." should be used.
Site - A physical location, normally one where a significant event such as an aircraft crash or burial occurred.
Site Survey - In the context of JTF-FA operations, a survey is the process of evaluating and recording the pertinent details of a Site. A survey is an integral part of the investigation process and does not constitute an independent activity. All surveys, whether initial or a re-visit, are considered to be part of an investigation (or re-investigation) and are reported in that context. Due to the confusion caused by this term, report writers should be as explicit as possible in describing the reasons for re-visiting a site that has already been surveyed. Report writers are encouraged to use alternate terms, such as examine, assess, or inspect when practical.
Skirmish Search - A type of Search conducted by arranging team members on line and maintaining this formation while searching a specific area. If terrain and vegetation allow, this is normally the most thorough method of searching an area.
Special Remains Team (SRT) - Formerly a special team that operated independently of Joint Field Activities to investigate information which relates specifically to remains believed to be associated with unaccounted-for U.S. personnel.
Stony Beach (SB) - An organization headquartered in the U.S. Embassy, Bangkok which is subordinate to the Defense Intelligence Agency. Its function is to investigate information indicating that U.S. personnel remained alive in Southeast Asia after 1975 and to debrief Southeast Asian refugees who claim to possess information concerning unaccounted-for Americans.
Summary Report (SR) - The initial report released after the completion of a Joint Field Activity. It provides an overview of the results of the activity, including a statistical summary of the cases addressed and a narrative assessment of host nation cooperation and other significant subjects.
Surface Search - A type of Search that is restricted to an examination of the surface of the ground only. It does not include any sub-surface probing and is not necessarily conducted in an on-line formation like a Skirmish Search.
Survey - See Site Survey.
TACSAT - Acronym for TACtical SATellite communication, a communication system that uses satellites to relay signals.
Technical Talks - Regularly scheduled formal bilateral meetings conducted in the countries of Southeast Asia to discuss issues relevant to the issue of unaccounted-for Americans. CJTF represents U.S. interests in these talks.
Test Pit - A sample excavation dug by an investigation element to fulfill one of two requirements: to gather additional evidence for an excavation recommendation, or to provide a detailed soil description to facilitate planning for an excavation. Test pits used to gather evidence are dug on-site, while those used to provide details on soil composition are dug adjacent to the site.
Transfer Cases - Aluminum cases the size of standard caskets which are used for the transport of remains. These cases are utilized during formal repatriation ceremonies.
Trilateral Investigation - An investigation that draws on witnesses from a third nation (e.g., a Vietnamese witness for a lead in Laos). Trilateral investigations require significant coordination between detachments and the headquarters to facilitate escort, interviews, border crossings, etc.
UXO - Unexploded ordnance, a term used to describe all hazardous ordnance (ammunition, mines, bombs, bomblets, missiles).
Unilateral Investigation - An investigation conducted solely by one of the SEA governments to meet the requirements of a lead.
VNOSMP - Acronym for Vietnamese Office For Seeking Missing Persons. Vietnamese Office For Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) - The Socialist Republic of Vietnam's counterpart organization of JTF-FA.
Witness - Literally, an individual who actually observed a particular event. This term is often applied to any person interviewed during an investigation. Care should be taken in its use, since persons providing purely hearsay information or circumstantial information not directly related to an incident might be mistakenly thought of as actually having been present when the incident occurred.
Source: Defense Intelligence Agency - January 20, 1982
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