Air Force morgue lost body parts from war dead

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP Excite

By ROBERT BURNS

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Air Force mortuary that receives America's war dead and prepares them for burial lost portions of human remains twice in 2009, prompting the Air Force to discipline three senior officials for "gross mismanagement."

A year-long Air Force investigation reviewed 14 sets of allegations of improper handling of war remains as reported by three whistleblower workers at Dover Air Force Base, Del. That is where all war dead are received from foreign battlefields to be identified, autopsied and prepared for transfer to their families.

The Air Force inspector general concluded that no laws or regulations had been violated, as alleged, but an independent agency that reviewed the probe said the Air Force failed to accept accountability for its mistakes.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has asked for a separate investigation.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20111108/D9QSO3401.html

[Ian David]

1. I think the subject line is wrong. Never mind. You fixed it. n/t

[MADem]

2. I think a separate investigation is in order.

No pun intended in relation to the subject matter, but heads really do need to roll on this one.

There's just no excuse for sloppy handling of this difficult task. It's a ghastly duty, from the transshipment/preparation of remains to the whole Casualty notification process, but it is one that demands the utmost attention to detail.

It's one of those jobs that just should not be fucked up.