• What is the FBI?

  The FBI is an intelligence-driven and threat-focused national security organization with both intelligence and law enforcement responsibilities. [...]

• What is the mission of the FBI?

  The mission of the FBI is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

• What are the primary investigative functions of the FBI?

  The FBI has divided its investigations into programs, such as domestic and international terrorism, foreign counterintelligence, cyber crime, etc. [...]

• What does the FBI stand for?

  The FBI stands for Federal Bureau of Investigation. “Federal” refers to the national government of the United States. “Bureau” is another word for department or division of government. “Investigation” is what we do—gathering facts and evidence to solve and prevent crimes.

• When was the FBI founded?

  On July 26, 1908, Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte appointed an unnamed force of special agents to be the investigative force of the Department of Justice. The FBI evolved from this small group.

• Who is the head of the FBI?

  The FBI is led by a Director, who is appointed by the U.S. president and confirmed by the Senate for a term not to exceed 10 years. The current Director is Christopher Wray.

• How is the FBI organized?

  The FBI is headquartered in Washington, D.C. The offices and divisions at FBI Headquarters provide direction and support to 55 field offices in big cities, more than 350 smaller offices known as resident agencies, several specialized field installations, and more than 60 liaison offices in other countries known as legal attachés.

• How many people work for the FBI?

  The FBI employs approximately 35,000 people, including special agents and support professionals such as intelligence analysts, language specialists, scientists, and information technology specialists.

• Is the FBI a type of national police force?

  No. The FBI is a national security organization that works closely with many partners around the country and across the globe to address the most serious security threats facing the nation. We are one of many federal agencies with law enforcement responsibilities.

• How accurately is the FBI portrayed in books, television shows, and motion pictures?

  Any author, television script writer, or producer may consult with the FBI about closed cases or our operations, services, or history. However, there is no requirement that they do so, and the FBI does not edit or approve their work. Some authors, television programs, or motion picture producers offer reasonably accurate presentations of our responsibilities, investigations, and procedures in their story lines, while others present their own interpretations or introduce fictional events, persons, or places for dramatic effect.

• Where is the FBI’s authority written down?

  The FBI has a range of legal authorities that enable it to investigate federal crimes and threats to national security, as well as to gather intelligence and assist other law enforcement agencies.

• What does the FBI do with information and evidence gathered during an investigation?

  If a possible violation of federal law under the jurisdiction of the FBI has occurred, the Bureau will conduct an investigation. The information and evidence gathered in the course of that investigation are then presented to the appropriate U.S. Attorney or Department of Justice official, who will determine whether or not prosecution or further action is warranted. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, evidence is either returned or retained for court.

• What does the FBI do with persons it arrests in the course of an investigation?

  A person arrested by the FBI is taken into custody, photographed, and fingerprinted. In addition, an attempt often is made to obtain a voluntary statement from the arrestee. The arrestee remains in FBI custody until the initial court appearance, which must take place without unnecessary delay.

• What authority do FBI special agents have to make arrests in the United States, its territories, or on foreign soil?

  In the U.S. and its territories, FBI special agents may make arrests for any federal offense committed in their presence or when they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed, or is committing, a felony violation of U.S. laws. On foreign soil, FBI special agents generally do not have authority to make arrests except in certain cases where, with the consent of the host country, Congress has granted the FBI extraterritorial jurisdiction.

• Are FBI special agents permitted to install wiretaps at their own discretion?

  No. Wiretapping is one of the FBI’s most sensitive techniques and is strictly controlled by federal statutes. It is used infrequently and only to combat terrorism and the most serious crimes. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 2516, contains the protocol requiring all law enforcement officers to establish probable cause that the wiretaps may provide evidence of a felony violation of federal law. After determining if a sufficient showing of probable cause has been made, impartial federal judges approve…

• What is the FBI’s policy on the use of deadly force by its special agents?

  FBI special agents may use deadly force only when necessary—when the agent has a reasonable belief that the subject of such force poses an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the agent or another person. If feasible, a verbal warning to submit to the authority of the special agent is given prior to the use of deadly force.

• If a crime is committed that is a violation of local, state, and federal laws, does the FBI “take over” the investigation?

  No. State and local law enforcement agencies are not subordinate to the FBI, and the FBI does not supervise or take over their investigations. Instead, the investigative resources of the FBI and state and local agencies are often pooled in a common effort to investigate and solve the cases. In fact, many task forces composed of FBI agents and state and local officers have been formed to locate fugitives and to address serious threats like terrorism and street violence.

• If an individual is being sought by local police for committing a crime, what assistance can the FBI render to locate the fugitive?

  A “stop” will be placed against the fugitive’s fingerprints in the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division. Local police will be notified immediately upon the receipt of any additional fingerprints of the fugitive. The fugitive’s name and identifying data also will be entered into the National Crime Information Center, a computerized database that is accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide.

• If a child is missing and possibly kidnapped, but no interstate transportation is known, will the FBI begin an investigation?

  Yes. The FBI will initiate a kidnapping investigation involving a missing child “of tender years,” even though there is no known interstate aspect. “Tender years” is generally defined as a child 12 years or younger. The FBI will monitor other kidnapping situations when there is no evidence of interstate travel, and it offers assistance from various entities including the FBI Laboratory.

• What is the FBI’s policy on the use of informants?

  The FBI can only use informants consistent with specific guidelines issued by the attorney general that control the use of informants.

• Are informants regular employees of the FBI?

  Informants are not hired or trained employees of the FBI, although they may receive compensation in some instances for their information and expenses.

• If a citizen gives information about a potential crime to the FBI and there is a question on whether a federal violation has occurred, who in the government decides?

  If there is a question as to whether or not a federal violation has occurred, the FBI consults with the U.S. Attorney’s office in the district where the alleged offense took place.

• Can I obtain detailed information about a current FBI investigation that I see in the news?

  Detailed information about current FBI investigations is protected from public disclosure, in accordance with current law and Department of Justice and FBI policy.

• Does the FBI provide arrest records at the request of private citizens?

  The FBI does not provide copies of arrest records to individuals other than the subject of the record; you cannot request someone else’s records.

• Who monitors or oversees the FBI?

  The FBI’s activities are closely and regularly scrutinized by a variety of entities, including Congress, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Director of National Intelligence.

• What tasks do FBI agents typically perform?

  There is no such thing as a “typical day” for an FBI agent; our agents enforce many different federal laws and perform various roles in the Bureau.

• What kinds of guns do FBI agents use?

  Agents carry Bureau-issued or approved handguns and may be issued additional equipment as needed.

• How old do you have to be to become an agent?

  In most cases one must be between 23 and 37 years old to become a special agent; the FBI's qualification requirements webpage has further information.

• What kind of training does an agent go through?

  Agents are updated on the latest developments in the intelligence and law enforcement communities through training opportunities at the FBI Academy and elsewhere.

• How many agents have been killed in the line of duty?

  The FBI Wall of Honor lists agents designated as service martyrs—killed during direct adversarial force—and those who lost their lives in the performance of their duty, outside adversarial confrontation.

• What type of applicants does the FBI investigate?

  We conduct background investigations on all those who apply for jobs with the FBI and on those who have been selected for jobs in certain other government entities.

• Who can obtain the results of such background investigations?

  You can request the results of your own background investigation through the Freedom of Information/Privacy Acts.

• Does the FBI mail hard copies of wanted posters on fugitives to private citizens?

  FBI fugitive material is solely distributed to authorized law enforcement and government agencies and other entities where a direct law enforcement purpose is served.

• Since the FBI does not send hard copies of wanted posters to the public, is there any way I can see photographs and descriptions of current FBI fugitives?

  The FBI posts photographs and other information regarding fugitives, terrorists, kidnapped and missing persons, bank robbers, and others on its "Wanted by the FBI" website.

• Should a citizen verify his or her suspicions about criminal activity before contacting the FBI?

  Please promptly report to the FBI any suspicious activity involving crimes that it investigates.

• How does the FBI differ from the Central Intelligence Agency?

  The CIA collects information only regarding foreign countries and their citizens, whereas the FBI collects information about U.S. persons regardless of where they are located.

• How does the FBI differ from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)?

  The FBI is a primary law enforcement agency for the U.S. government, charged with enforcement of more than 200 categories of federal laws. The DEA is a single-mission agency charged with enforcing drug laws. The ATF primarily enforces federal firearms statutes and investigates arsons and bombings. The FBI works closely with both agencies on cases where our jurisdictions overlap.

• How does the FBI interact with other federal law enforcement agencies?

  The Bureau works closely with all federal law enforcement agencies on joint investigations and through formal task forces that address broad crime problems and national security threats.

• Does the FBI exchange fingerprint or arrest information with domestic and foreign police agencies?

  Identification and criminal history information may be disclosed to federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies or any agency directly engaged in criminal justice activity.

• What is the FBI’s policy on sharing information in its files with domestic or foreign investigative agencies or with other governmental entities?

  Limited information from the FBI’s central records system is provided in response to requests by other entities lawfully authorized to receive it.

• Do FBI agents work with state, local, or other law enforcement officers on “task forces”?

  Interagency task forces typically focus on terrorism, organized crime, narcotics, gangs, bank robberies, kidnapping, and motor vehicle theft.

• What training assistance is afforded local law enforcement officers?

  The FBI offers several training opportunities for local law enforcement officers, including the FBI National Academy and the Field Police Training Program.

• What is the Critical Incident Response Group?

  CIRG provides expert assistance in cases involving the abduction or mysterious disappearance of children, crisis management, hostage negotiation, criminal investigative analysis, and special weapons and tactics.

• What is the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Budapest?

  The ILEA is a multinational effort organized by the United States, the government of Hungary, and other international training partners.

• Does the FBI Laboratory conduct examinations of evidence for anyone other than the FBI?

  The FBI Laboratory conducts scientific examinations of evidence, free of charge, for any federal, state, and/or local law enforcement organization in the United States.

• What is the FBI’s role in combating terrorism?

  The FBI is the nation’s lead federal law enforcement agency for investigating and preventing acts of domestic and international terrorism.

• What is the FBI’s responsibility in bombing cases?

  The FBI investigates the malicious damaging or destruction, by means of an explosive, of property used in interstate or foreign commerce.

• Does the FBI share information on terrorists with other domestic and foreign law enforcement agencies?

  To help ensure the two-way flow of information and intelligence, the FBI participates in numerous national and local joint terrorism task forces and interagency initiatives.

• Does the FBI investigate hate groups in the United States?

  The Bureau investigates domestic hate groups within guidelines established by the attorney general.

• Does the FBI “monitor” any potential terrorist groups in the United States?

  The Bureau is bound by guidelines issued by the attorney general that establish a consistent policy on when an investigation may be initiated.

• What action does the FBI take when a foreign group linked to terrorism abroad has members in the United States?

  The FBI collects information that not only serves as the basis for prosecution for terrorism, but also builds an intelligence base to help prevent terrorist acts.

• What concerns do the FBI and the law enforcement communities have regarding the growing use of encryption products by the public, both domestically and abroad?

  Law enforcement supports a balanced encryption policy that meets both commercial and individual needs as well as the needs of law enforcement agencies.

• What is the FBI’s foreign counterintelligence responsibility?

  The FBI is responsible for detecting and lawfully countering actions of foreign intelligence services and organizations that gather information about the U.S. that adversely affects our national interests.

• What is “economic espionage”?

  Economic espionage provides foreign entities with vital proprietary economic information at a fraction of the cost of research and development, causing significant economic losses to the targeted government or corporation.

• Do spies always operate undercover?

  Espionage can be committed by almost anyone. These persons often act on their own to fulfill the requests of foreign intelligence services.

• Has the use of space satellites, listening devices, and other advanced technology reduced the importance of the human foreign spy?

  The use of technology gives intelligence officers anonymity, enhancing their efforts but not replacing agents entirely.

• Has the ending of the Cold War reduced the amount of espionage?

  Traditional espionage has changed, increasing in some areas and becoming more difficult to assess and predict.

• How can citizens help the FBI protect the U.S. from foreign intelligence operations?

  Citizens can raise their own security awareness and report any suspected espionage activity to the FBI.

• Does the FBI investigate computer-related crime?

  The Bureau is charged with investigating computer-related crimes involving both criminal acts and national security issues.

• How does the FBI protect the civil rights of people in the United States?

  The FBI investigates violations of federal civil rights statutes and supports the investigations of state and local authorities in certain cases.

• What are the most typical civil rights violations?

  The most common complaint involves allegations of color of law violations. Another common complaint involves racial violence, such as physical assaults, homicides, verbal or written threats, or desecration of property.

• Does the FBI keep statistics on criminal offenses committed in the United States?

  The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program collects information on serious crimes reported to law enforcement agencies, ranging from murder to burglary to arson.

• What is white-collar crime, and how is the FBI combating it?

  White-collar crime is generally non-violent in nature and includes public corruption, health care fraud, mortgage fraud, securities fraud, and money laundering.

• How is the FBI fighting organized crime, particularly international organized crime?

  The FBI's organized crime investigations frequently use undercover operations, court-authorized electronic surveillance, informants and cooperating witnesses, and consensual monitoring.

• What is the FBI doing about drug trafficking?

  The FBI combats drug trafficking by focusing investigations and prosecutions on entire criminal enterprises rather than on individuals.

• Does the FBI investigate graft and corruption in local government and in state and local police departments?

  The FBI uses applicable federal laws, including the Hobbs Act, to investigate violations by public officials in federal, state, and local governments.

• How do I apply for a job at the FBI?

  Visit the FBI Jobs website to apply for a job and find answers to frequently asked questions about careers in the Bureau.

• What career paths does the FBI offer besides the special agent role?

  The FBI has a wide variety of career opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds and experiences, including intelligence analysts, financial experts, scientists, security specialists, linguists, and more.

• What should I do if my child goes missing?

  Time is of the essence. Immediately contact your local FBI office or closest international office. See About Protecting Your Kids and Is Your Child Missing by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for additional information.

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