JAGMAN Investigations

Naval commanders conduct investigations in accordance with the Manual of the Judge Advocate General (JAGMAN).

There are six types of JAGMAN investigations:

• Preliminary Inquiry
  The preliminary inquiry is a basic, three-day inquiry to determine whether further investigation is required. Based upon the result of the inquiry, the convening authority may decide to take no further action or convene another type of investigation. If the incident may involve potential litigation claims, the inquiry must be conducted under the supervision of a judge advocate.
  

• Command Investigation ("JAGMAN Investigation")
  A command investigation is used for most investigations. An investigating officer (IO), senior to most known witnesses (and, if a criminal investigation, to the accused) is appointed to obtain testimony and complete a report with findings of fact, the opinions of the IO, and recommendations for disciplinary, corrective, or other appropriate administrative actions.
  

• Court of Inquiry
  A Court of Inquiry (COI) is a formal investigation used for the most serious types of incidents (“major incidents”) involving multiple deaths, significant national or international public or press interest or significant environmental damage. COIs have the power to subpoena witnesses.
  

• Board of Inquiry
  A Board of Inquiry (BOI) is less formal than a COI but still used for “major incidents.” Unlike COIs, BOIs have no subpoena power but they can order naval personnel to appear, testify and produce evidence.
  

• Litigation-Report Investigation
  A Litigation-Report Investigation is used to defend or protect the legal interests of the Navy and the United States.
  

• Dual-Purpose Investigation
  Some major incidents require a combination of several JAGMAN formats.