Eric S. Birnbaum Named Special Agent in Charge of the Administrative Division in Los Angeles

Director Robert S. Mueller, III has named Eric S. Birnbaum special agent in charge of the Administrative Division in the Los Angeles Field Office. Mr. Birnbaum most recently served as chief inspector in the Inspection Division at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Birnbaum began his career as a special agent with the FBI in 1988. He first reported to the Washington Field Office, where he investigated white-collar and violent crime. In 1992, Mr. Birnbaum was promoted to firearms examiner in the FBI Laboratory and managed an initiative that used a computer imaging technology to link evidence from serial shooting crimes.

In 1997, Mr. Birnbaum was assigned assistant inspector in the Inspection Division, where he audited FBI operations nationwide. Mr. Birnbaum transferred to the San Diego Division in 1999 to supervise a White-Collar Crime Squad that addressed health care fraud, governmental fraud, and environmental crime matters.

Mr. Birnbaum reported to the San Francisco Division in 2003 and served as assistant special agent in charge for the intelligence, criminal, and SWAT programs. In 2007, he was promoted to deputy assistant director of the FBI Laboratory. In this position, he oversaw the budget, human resources, research, strategy, and security activities. He also facilitated the FBI’s forensic response to crime scenes involving traditional evidence, as well as evidence contaminated by chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials.

In 2009, Mr. Birnbaum returned to the Inspection Division as one of eight inspectors who lead teams of personnel aimed at streamlining the FBI’s operations. He was named chief inspector in 2012.

Mr. Birnbaum has a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a doctorate in physical chemistry from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.