What triggers a Financial Liability Investigation using DD Form 200?

The correct choice centers on the concept of financial liability pertaining to items considered sensitive due to their nature, value, or the potential consequences of their loss. A Financial Liability Investigation is initiated when sensitive items, which are usually critical to national defense or operational capability, are lost or destroyed, as indicated by the use of DD Form 200. This form serves as the vehicle for documenting the investigation and the findings, ensuring that accountability is maintained and that necessary actions are taken in response to the loss.

Sensitive items include weapons, ammunition, and classified equipment, where loss or destruction can have significant operational implications. Therefore, a loss in this context triggers a formal investigation and the potential for financial liability to ensure that accountability is established and related procedures are followed.

In contrast, while a loss or damage of any item might also lead to an investigation, it does not automatically imply the same level of urgency or consequence as the loss of sensitive items. Similarly, items with a value of less than $100 typically do not warrant the formal investigation process required by DD Form 200, and unreturned items after deployment may not specifically trigger the same financial liability considerations unless those items are also deemed sensitive or critical.