Military Defense Investigation Knowledge Base
Military Defense Investigation Authority Publication
Authority Publication No. DI-047
Common Mistakes Service Members Make
Independent Military Defense Investigations
Supporting Attorneys, Service Members, and Families
Publication Date: August 24, 2026
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Executive Summary
The period immediately after learning of an allegation or investigation can create pressure to act quickly. Service members may try to explain the situation before understanding it, contact witnesses on their own, delete embarrassing information, speculate about facts they do not remember, or post about the matter online. Actions taken in the first hours or days can complicate later investigative and legal work. This Authority Publication identifies common mistakes service members make during military investigations and explains why disciplined preservation of information is usually more useful than hurried attempts to fix the situation. It addresses communications, digital evidence, witness contact, memory gaps, social media, records, and the importance of coordinating with defense counsel. The investigative principle is straightforward: preserve what exists, avoid creating new problems, and allow facts to be examined systematically. Accurate information is more valuable to the defense than an explanation developed before the evidence is understood.
Who Should Read This Publication?
- Military defense attorneys preparing or evaluating UCMJ cases
- Service members and families seeking to understand the investigative process
- Private investigators supporting military defense counsel
- Investigators reviewing evidence, witnesses, records, and timelines
Companion Video
This companion video expands on the investigative concepts presented in this Authority Publication through additional explanation, practical examples, and professional investigative insight.
About Michael West
The investigative guidance presented throughout these Authority Publications is based upon decades of professional experience conducting military, federal, criminal, civil, and private investigations. The principles discussed in these publications are drawn from real investigative work involving complex cases, witness development, evidence analysis, and factual case preparation.
Michael West has served as a Special Agent with the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) and the Department of Defense Inspector General, conducted federal background investigations, and spent decades working as a licensed private investigator supporting attorneys, businesses, service members, and private clients. Throughout his career, his work has focused on identifying facts, locating witnesses, analyzing evidence, and strengthening the factual foundation of legal cases through independent investigation.
The Military Defense Investigation Knowledge Base was created to share that investigative experience in a practical, understandable format. Its purpose is to help attorneys, service members, and families better understand the investigative process, ask more informed questions, and recognize opportunities where independent investigation may strengthen the defense.
Important Information
This Authority Publication is provided for educational and informational purposes and is intended to help readers better understand military defense investigations and the investigative process. It is based upon professional investigative experience and is designed to provide practical investigative insight rather than legal advice.
Every military case is unique. The investigative strategies, factual issues, and legal considerations applicable to one case may not apply to another. Readers should consult with a qualified attorney regarding legal rights, legal strategy, and decisions involving their individual circumstances.
Nothing contained in this publication should be interpreted as creating an attorney-client relationship or an investigator-client relationship. References to investigative techniques, procedures, or case examples are provided solely to illustrate investigative principles and should not be considered legal guidance.
Effective military defense is strengthened by informed legal representation supported by thorough factual investigation. The purpose of these Authority Publications is to help readers better understand that investigative process so they can communicate more effectively with qualified legal counsel and make informed decisions throughout the military justice process.