Mission
Investigate deaths, Identify the fallen, Improve readiness and Warfighter Survivability
Vision
Be the global leader in comprehensive and innovative medicolegal services enhancing the readiness, sustainability, and survivability of those we serve.
Contact Us
Don't hesitate to reach out to us at any of the following:
Mailing Address:
115 Purple Heart Drive
Dover Air Force Base, DE 19902
Phone: 302-346-8648
DSN: 366-8648
Fax: 302-346-8819
Death Notification: 202-409-6811
Office Email: dha.dover.afmes.mbx.information@health.mil
Policy Changes and Potential Impacts to Those We Serve
The DOD takes seriously its responsibility to fulfill the nation's sacred commitment of ensuring dignity, honor, and respect to those in our care while providing support to their families. Recent policy changes reinforce the commitment to these responsibilities.
DOD DNA Operations
The DOD DNA Operations office provides the DOD and other federal agencies with DNA mission support in the areas of personnel accounting; defense, national security and intelligence; law enforcement; and humanitarian missions.
Forensic Toxicology
The Forensic Toxicology program provides the DOD with broad capabilities in forensic toxicology analyses as subject matter experts, identifying the latest drug use trends, and developing state of the art testing methods to detect and deter drug use enabling military warfighter readiness.
Forensic Pathology Investigations
Forensic Pathology Investigations is the center of medicolegal investigations for the DOD, and is responsible for determining the cause and manner of death for all active duty members who die within federal jurisdiction, as well as for identifying the decedent.
Medicolegal Investigations
Working closely with investigative arms of each military branch and a number of other agencies, forensic investigation of crime scenes are conducted upon request worldwide. Board certified forensic pathologists, forensic anthropologists, medicolegal death investigators, photographers, and histotechnicians all support this key function.
Aerospace Pathology & Air Mishap Investigations
The organization is the DOD's acknowledged expert in the area of military aircraft mishaps. A team consisting of a forensic pathologist, forensic anthropologist, medicolegal death investigator, and photographer can deploy to the mishap site for recovery, identification, re-association and return of remains to the families of the deceased.
Medical Mortality Surveillance
Personnel conduct mortality surveillance on all active duty U.S. service members and provide information to improve warfighter survivability.
They also present and publish relevant findings related to service member mortality.
Documents Center
Autopsy Diagrams & Paperwork
- Autopsy Diagram - Skull
- Autopsy Diagram - Skeletal AP View
- Autopsy Diagram - Male AP View
- Autopsy Diagram - Male Lat View
- Autopsy Diagram - Infant
- Autopsy Diagram - Head & Neck
- Autopsy Diagram - Extended Neck
- Autopsy Diagram - Hands
- Autopsy Diagram - Female
- Autopsy Diagram - Brain
- Internal Description Sheet
- Autopsy Attendee Roster
- Autopsy Specimen Description Sheet
Fact Sheets & Guidelines
Forms & Order Requests
- AFMES Expert Witness Request
- AFMES Form 18: Forensic Toxicology Investigation
- AFMES Form 25: Histology Request and Specimen Storage
- AFMES Form 42-R: Evidence Chain of Custody
- AFMES Form 7: AFDIL Casework Request
- AFMES Medicolegal Consultation Request
- AFRSSIR Supply Order Request
- Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory Casework Request
DHA Forms Management Office
- Need another DHA Form? Visit Inside DHA. CAC authentication is required.
- Questions? Contact the DHA Forms Management Office.
AFMES News
On the road with a new Military Working Dog
The prototype forecasts a new age of development for MWD teams throughout the Department of Defense.
Upgraded: military working dogs get new training aids
The aids help train and certify all DoD MWDs on odor detection for narcotics that are commonly found within the continental United States and on overseas installations.
How medical examiners balance duty and community
These men and women are committed to something greater than themselves—both within the walls of their workplace and outside in the communities they serve.
The Unseen Heroes: Inside the Role of a Mortuary Affairs Specialist at AFMES
Their job involves providing care for the fallen with dignity and respect, handling everything from autopsies to verifying remains.