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Source record / NCIS investigation file / Military Sealift Command sexual misconduct

Lab Testing Said a USNS Mercy Watch Officer's Chair Sample Was Not Semen.

The USNS Mercy ship master told NCIS that a watch officer reported moisture on her bridge chair and believed semen had been placed there while she was away from her station. NCIS collected a sample and obtained DNA swabs, but the Army crime lab later reported that the sample was not semen.

Sexual MisconductUSNS MercyBridgeForensic TestingNot SemenNo Subject Identified

This page summarizes one Naval Criminal Investigative Service case file. The source PDF and optical character recognition transcript appear below so readers can compare the summary against the record.

Allegation
Sexual Misconduct
Location
USNS Mercy Bridge
Key date
Reported February 9, 2018
Outcome
Lab Said Sample Was Not Semen

What the NCIS File Says

A watch officer aboard USNS Mercy reported that she returned to her bridge workstation after making rounds and felt moisture through her pants when she sat on her chair. The ship master notified NCIS, and the report was treated as suspected wrongful sexual conduct because the moisture was believed to be semen.

NCIS documented the scene, collected a sample from the chair, ran database checks, and later obtained DNA samples from a redacted person. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory then told NCIS that the sample was not semen and that no further analysis would be completed.

The case closed after the central physical evidence failed to support the original belief that semen had been placed on the chair and no subject had been identified.

Case Timeline

February 9, 2018

The USNS Mercy ship master notified NCIS of the report.

February 9, 2018

The watch officer reported feeling moisture after returning to the bridge chair.

April 2018

NCIS obtained DNA samples after earlier investigative activity.

June 8, 2018

The Army crime lab reported that the collected sample was not semen.

June 2018

NCIS closed the investigation.

Why This Record Matters

  • The record shows an allegation that initially appeared sexual in nature but was resolved by lab testing.
  • The source file is short and references earlier exhibits that are not included in the extracted transcript.
  • The OCR creates date tension around the closure and lab notification dates, so exact dates should be checked against the PDF.

NCIS Source Document

This is the NCIS Report of Investigation for the USNS Mercy file. MLAA has preserved the source PDF, Bates range, and NCIS file number so readers can inspect the record directly.

First page preview for Lab Testing Said a USNS Mercy Watch Officer's Chair Sample Was Not Semen.

First page of the NCIS case file.

Source type
NCIS investigation file
Command or vessel
USNS MERCY (T-AH-19) /21636
NCIS file number
09FEB18-SWND-00080-8MNA/C
Bates range
0087-0088
Source file length
2 pages
View NCIS Source PDF for Case 09FEB18-SWND-00080-8MNA/C

Readable OCR Transcript

The transcript below reproduces the substantive report text from the NCIS file in readable form, including the executive summary when one appears in the source. Paragraph numbers come from the original report. Redactions are shown as [REDACTED]. Because the text was generated from OCR, verify exact quotations against the source PDF.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. On 09FEB18 at approximately 1559hrs, NCISRA San Diego, CA, was notified ey [REDACTED], USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) Ship Master, that»)[REDACTED] reported Sitting on semen that was placed on her chair on the bridge of the USNS Mercy. [REDACTED] Subsequently interviewed by NCISRA San Diego and stated she was performing her duties as watch officer, and making rounds onboard the USNS Mercy from 1130hrs to 1416hrs. At approximately 1416hrs, [REDACTED] returned to her work station on the bridge and felt moisture through the seat of her pants when she sat on her chair. A crime scene examination was completed, at which time a sample was collected from the chair. Additionally, database checks for [REDACTED] were completed. No Subjects have been identified at this time. On 08Jun18, NCIS received notification U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL) stating the sample provided was not semen. No further analysis was completed by USACIL. This case is closed.

NARRATIVE

1. This case was initiated as a reactive investigation and pertains to suspected violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Article 134 (Wrongful Sexual Conduct) .

2. Reference (A) documents prior investigative activity.

3. On 19Apr18, Participating Agent [REDACTED] obtained two DNA samples from [REDACTED] subsequent to receiving a permissive authorization for search and seizure, Exhibit (4) pertains.

4. On 08Junel18, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL) contacted NCIS and related the sample provided was not semen and no additional analysis would be provided.

5. On 06Jun1l8, Reporting Agent (RA) provided [REDACTED] with an update on the closure of this investigation. This investigation is closed.