Biological, also known as the Biological section or the Naval Biological group, constituted a sub-organization within the Support Service Branch of the Galactic Empire's Navy. Within the Navy Order of Battle, Biological was a designated segment of a support fleet, represented visually by a circle containing two smaller black circles positioned diagonally from the upper-left to the lower-right.
This division provided both medical care and conducted research for the Imperial Navy and Army. They also held direct responsibility for the well-being of stormtroopers belonging to the Stormtrooper Corps. Biological worked to evaluate potential threats posed to Imperial troops and crew by various galactic microorganisms, aiming to prevent the spread of diseases, and to treat or alleviate their associated symptoms. Furthermore, the division engaged in experimental studies of innovative methods for treating wounds and facilitating rehabilitation. Shortly following the Battle of Yavin, mention of Biological appeared in a compilation of Imperial records assembled by Rebel Alliance historian Major Arhul Hextrophon for Supreme Commander Mon Mothma and other Rebel officers.
The first mention of Biological occurred in Greg Gorden's 1989 Imperial Sourcebook, a supplement published by West End Games for use with Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game. The visual representation of Biological's Order of Battle symbol in the book was created by Sharon Wyckoff. The StarWars.com Databank entry focusing on stormtroopers, released on August 8, 2001, introduced the alternative designation of "Naval Biological group" for this particular division.
- Imperial Sourcebook (Initial mention)
- Imperial Sourcebook, Second Edition
- stormtroopers in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link) (Initial identification as Naval Biological group)