HALIFAX -- The mother of a Cape Breton teen who died 24 years ago says a probe by Nova Scotia's Serious Incident Response Team is breathing new life into her family's quest to reopen the investigation into Clayton Miller's death.

The province's police watchdog said it has launched an investigation into the accuracy of information it received that alleges a current member of the Cape Breton Regional Police Service may have undisclosed information on Miller's death.

His 17-year-old body was found in a stream in 1990 after police raided a bush party.

Doctors came to differing conclusions about the cause of his death and an inquest and RCMP investigation both cleared the New Waterford police department of any wrongdoing.

But his family have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his death, saying they believe there is more to be known that has not been publicly released.

Miller's mother Maureen said she hopes the Serious Incident Response Team investigation will lead to police reopening the overall investigation into her son's death.

"The end goal is getting justice for Clayton. What we want is a fair and honest investigation, which has never been done," said Miller, who maintains that her son died under suspicious circumstances.

"What they're saying Clayton died from doesn't go with the evidence."

Miller said one police report said her son died of "dry drowning" and another said hypothermia.

But she said her family later asked a forensic pathologist in the U.S. to look at the case, who determined he died of a chokehold.

The Serious Incident Response Team said it received information in October and its investigation is ongoing.

Director Ron MacDonald said it did not notify the public previously in order to protect the integrity of specific investigative steps.

He said if accurate, the information may be considered evidence of obstruction of justice.

The Serious Incident Response Team's mandate is limited to consider incidents after April 2012, and MacDonald said their investigation is restricted to possible current offences.

MacDonald said he will meet with Miller's family in the near future.

Last year, Justice Minister Lena Metlege Diab asked the province's chief medical examiner Dr. Matt Bowes to look into the case.

Miller said her family is eagerly awaiting Bowes' report.