Generic Case Files

Notice of Generic Classified Information

THIS NOTICE IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE POLICY

  1. The Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office processes generic classified information that pertains to missing persons generally (i.e., a direct connection or nexus does not exist between the classified information and the disappearance, whereabouts, or status of a particular missing person).
  2. The information is classified in accordance with the provisions of the April 17, 1995, Executive Order 12958, "Classified National Security Information," because it contains sensitive information concerning intelligence activities including sources and methods. Because this information is classified, it is exempt from release under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts.
  3. If possible, attached is an unclassified document identifier of each classified document and the date of its last review for declassification.
  4. Some or all of the generic classified information may relate to unsolved sighting reports that are currently the subject of ongoing investigation. Upon resolution of the individual reports and declassification of the documents, the documents will be sent to the Library of Congress (LOC) or the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for inclusion in their POW/MIA related collection that is available to the public. The web site for access to the POW/MIA records located at the LOC is: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/pow/powhome.html. The web site for NARA is: http://www.nara.gov/; however, NARA does not provide internet access to its POW/MIA documents.

Classified Generic Case File Policy

February 10, 2000

NOTICE OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION WITHHELD BY THE DEFENSE PRISONER OF WAR/MISSING PERSONNEL OFFICE (DPMO) FROM THE PRIMARY NEXT OF KIN, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY, AND THE PREVIOUSLY DESIGNATED PERSON

Under the provisions of section 1506 (b) of the Missing Persons Act, classified information may be withheld from the redacted case file of a missing person. Under the provisions of the same section, however, DPMO is required to notify primary next of kin (PNOK), other members of the immediate family, and the previously designated person of any withheld classified information in our possession that may pertain to their missing family member. This notification is provided by posting, in the redacted case file, a notice that the withheld information exists and the date of the most recent review of the classification of the withheld information, such that the notice will be readily available to the PNOK, other members of the immediate family, and the previously designated person at the time they review the file.

As a matter of policy and in the spirit of open disclosure to family members, DPMO also will provide notification of the existence of generic classified information (i.e., a direct connection or nexus does not exist between the classified information and the disappearance, whereabouts, or status of a particular missing person) in the possession of DPMO that pertains to missing persons generally. The PNOK, other members of the immediate family, and the previously designated person will receive notice of the existence of such classified information being provided at the time they review the redacted case file of their missing family member. A file will be provided for their review that will contain a notice of the existence of the generic classified information. The notification will provide, if possible, an unclassified document identifier and the date the classified information was last reviewed for declassification.