Violent Crime 

Suspect is Arrested

The FBI's top priorities are national security threats, but the Bureau also continues to play a key role in combating violent crime in big cities and local communities across the United States.

The FBI concentrates on crime problems that pose major threats to American society. Significant violent crime incidents such as mass killings, sniper murders, and serial killings can paralyze entire communities and stretch state and local law enforcement resources to their limits. 

Key Threats 

International Violent Crimes 

The FBI has the authority to investigate specific violent crimes committed against Americans and American interests overseas, and in some instances, crimes committed by Americans overseas. Those crimes include non-terrorism related hostage-takings and kidnappings, killings and assaults of U.S. federal officers and other internationally-protected individuals, violent crimes on U.S. Government property, and murders of U.S. nationals by other U.S. nationals. Additionally, the FBI investigates crimes aboard aircraft (both domestic and international flights) and crimes on the high seas like piracy and cruise ship violations involving U.S.-affiliated vessels or U.S. persons. The FBI also works to track down U.S. wanted fugitives who flee overseas.

FBI international violent crime investigations are worked collaboratively with our international law enforcement partners, our network of legal attaché offices around the world, and our federal law enforcement partners.

Asset Forfeiture

Asset forfeiture is a powerful tool used by law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, against criminals and criminal organizations to deprive them of their property used illegally and their ill-gotten gains through seizure of these assets. It is also used to compensate victims of crime. Learn more about the FBI’s asset forfeiture program and to see forfeiture in action.

Reports and Statistics