The family of a young soldier who died at Deepcut Barracks have urged a coroner to allow her body to be exhumed as they voiced their dismay at delays to the inquest into her death.
Private Cheryl James was undergoing initial training when she was found with a bullet wound to her head in November 1995.
The 18-year-old, from Llangollen, North Wales, was one of four soldiers who died at the Surrey barracks between 1995 and 2002 amid claims of bullying and abuse.
Privates Sean Benton, James Collinson and Geoff Gray also died from gunshot wounds.
Last year High Court judges ordered a fresh inquest into Pte James's death after they quashed an open verdict recorded in December 1995.
At a pre-inquest review at Woking Coroner's Court today, coroner Brian Barker QC said he would wait for a doctor's report before deciding whether the "difficult and unusual" step should be taken to exhume Pte James's body.
Addressing the coroner, Alison Foster QC, representing the soldier's family, said: "We're really dismayed to be at this point today.
"From our standpoint, an exhumation would be necessary for you to carry out a full and proper inquiry."
Ms Foster said bullet fragments in the body of Pte James were yellow, when the SA80 rifle she was armed with used red bullets.
She added: "There is no actual evidence that it was an SA80 that caused the bullet wound to Cheryl."
The coroner ruled the inquest would consider whether there were "shortcomings" with the barracks's policies on sexual behaviour, supervision of young females, drugs, alcohol and accommodation.
The full inquest is due to take place on February 1, while another pre-inquest review was fixed for September 10.
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