SYSTEM NAME:

CLOSED—Research and Experimental Case Files  (March 11, 2016,  81 FR 12883)

SYSTEM LOCATION:

U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD), 2900 Ricketts Point Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5400.

CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:

This is a closed system—no new records will be added. Volunteers (military personnel, Federal civilian employees, state prisoners) who participated in Army medical research which included potential chemical agents and/or antidotes from the early 1950's until the program ended in 1975.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:

Name, Social Security Number (SSN), military service number, history and record of patient treatment, to include individual pre-test physical examination records and test records of performance and biomedical parameters measured during and after test exposure.

AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:

10 U.S.C. 3013, Secretary of the Army; Army Regulation 40-31, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and Armed Forces Histopathology Centers; DoD Instruction 5154.30, Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) Operations; 45 CFR part 160, Department of Health and Human Services General Administrative Requirements; 45 CFR part 164, Department of Health and Human Services Security and Privacy; and E.O. 9397 (SSN), as amended.

PURPOSE(S):

Records were used to enable follow up of volunteers who participated in Army medical research projects concerning chemical agents for the purpose of assessing risks/hazards to them, and for retrospective medical/scientific evaluation and future scientific and legal significance.

ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:

In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the records contained therein may specifically be disclosed outside the DoD as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows:

Information may be disclosed to the Department of Veterans Affairs in connection with benefits determinations.

The DoD Blanket Routine Uses set forth at the beginning of the Army's compilation of systems of records notices may apply to this system. The complete list of DoD Blanket Routine Uses can be found online at: http://dpcld.defense.gov/Privacy/SORNsIndex/BlanketRoutineUses.aspx.

Note:
This system of records contains individually identifiable health information. The DoD Health Information Privacy Regulation (DoD 6025.18-R) issued pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, applies to most such health information. DoD 6025.18-R may place additional procedural requirements on the uses and disclosures of such information beyond those found in the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, or mentioned in this system of records notice.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:

STORAGE:

Paper, electronic storage media, and microfiche.

RETRIEVABILITY:

Individual's name, military service number, or SSN.

SAFEGUARDS:

Records are maintained in a controlled area accessible only to authorized personnel. Access to personally identifiable information in this system of records is restricted to those who require the data in the performance of the official duties. The USAMRICD utilizes ID badges, closed circuit television, and electronic key access as physical security measures that ensure only authorized personnel have access to the records storage area. The electronic files are stored on compact disk storage media and secured in the same location as the paper records. The disks are accessed on Common Access Card (CAC) login-secured computers and then stored when not in use. Electronic copies of the records are not stored on any computer.

RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:

Electronic records will be owned by the Army and maintained by the system owner at USAMRICD, 2900 Ricketts Point Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5400. Original hard copy records are now stored at the National Archives, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis MO 63138-1001, for permanent retention. Records relating to research studies that require a signed consent form from participants will be retained for 75 years. Records will be destroyed by shredding or deleting.

SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS:

Chief Information Officer, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD), 2900 Ricketts Point Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5400.

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:

Individuals seeking to determine whether information about themselves is contained in this system should address written inquiries to the FOIA/Privacy Act Officer, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USARMRICD), 2900 Ricketts Point Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5400.

Individual should provide full name, military service number or SSN, current address, and telephone number of the requester.

In addition, the requester must provide a notarized statement or an unsworn declaration made in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 1746, in the following format:

If executed outside the United States: `I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on (date). (Signature).'

If executed within the United States, its territories, possessions, or commonwealths: `I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on (date). (Signature).' 

RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:

Individuals seeking access to information about themselves contained in this system should address written inquiries to the FOIA/Privacy Act Officer, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USARMRICD), 2900 Ricketts Point Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5400.

Individual should provide full name, military service number or SSN, current address, and telephone number of the requester.

In addition, the requester must provide a notarized statement or an unsworn declaration made in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 1746, in the following format:

If executed outside the United States: `I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on (date). (Signature).'

If executed within the United States, its territories, possessions, or commonwealths: `I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on (date). (Signature).'

CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:

The Army's rules for accessing records, and for contesting contents and appealing initial agency determinations are contained in 32 CFR part 505, Army Privacy Program; or may be obtained from the system manager.

RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:

Information was received from the individual through test and questionnaire forms completed at test location; from medical authorities and sources by evaluation of data collected previous to, during, and following tests while individual was in this research program.

EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED FOR THE SYSTEM:

None.

FEDERAL REGISTER HISTORY:

March 11, 2016, 81 FR 12883; April 4, 2003, 68 FR 16484; August 7, 1997, 62 FR 42530; February 22, 1993, 58 FR 10062