Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)*

Overview

The FBI is a field-oriented organization in which fourteen divisions and four offices at FBI Headquarters (FBIHQ) in Washington, D.C., provide program direction and support services to 56 field offices, approximately 400 satellite offices known as resident agencies, four specialized field installations, and over 45 foreign liaison posts. The foreign liaison offices, each of which is headed by a Legal Attache or Legal Liaison Officer, work abroad with American and local authorities on criminal matters within FBI jurisdiction.

The FBI's role in international investigations has expanded by congressional application of extraterritorial jurisdiction.  FBI investigations abroad require the approval of the host country and coordination with the U.S. Department of State and any other involved agency through the FBI's Legal Attache Program.

In response to international  occurrences of illegal drug trafficking, organized crime, espionage, terrorism, and  white-collar crime  effecting U.S. citizens, the FBI has established and maintains liaison with principal law enforcement and intelligence/security services in many foreign countries.

Mission of the FBI

The FBI's investigative authority is the broadest of all federal law enforcement agencies.

A significant number of FBI investigations are conducted in concert with other law enforcement  agencies  or as part of joint task forces.

The FBI has divided its investigations into a number of programs, such as Civil Rights, Domestic and International Terrorism, Foreign Counterintelligence, Organized Crime/Drugs, Violent Crimes and Major Offenders, and White-Collar Crime.  These programs represent the FBI's responsibilities as assigned by law.

Some sensitive investigative methods, such as undercover activities and court-ordered electronic surveillance, are subject to specific and rigorous review and approval procedures. 

A number of examples follow that illustrate the kinds of cases that can be opened in the different investigative programs.

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

The FBI is the lead federal law enforcement agency in the fight against terrorism in the U.S. In carrying out this responsibility, the Domestic Terrorism Program investigates threats involving atomic energy, weapons of mass destruction, sabotage, hostage-taking, and civil unrest.

NATIONAL FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE

The FBI is also the lead counterintelligence agency within the U.S. Intelligence Community. The National Foreign Intelligence Program is tasked with preventing foreign espionage, economic espionage, and with investigating foreign counterintelligence cases within U.S. borders. The program is also involved in international terrorism threats, weapons of mass destruction threats, and attacks on the nation's critical infrastructures (i.e., communications, banking systems, and transportation systems.)

ORGANIZED CRIME/DRUG CASES

Organized crime and drug matters are linked under the Organized Crime/Drug Program (OCDP).  The OCDP investigates criminal enterprises, illegal drug cases, money laundering matters, and labor racketeering cases. The OCDP also coordinates national  Organized Crime/Drug Enforcement Task Forces.

VIOLENT CRIMES

The Violent Crimes and Major Offenders Program (VCMOP) investigates threatened or actual injury or loss of life, including cases of kidnapping, sexual exploitation of children, extortion, bank robbery, consumer product tampering, crimes on Indian reservations, and Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution. The VCMOP also oversees cases involving threatened or actual assault kidnapping, or murder involving the President, Vice President, or Members of Congress.

Organization

FBIHQ divisions and offices usually are arranged along broad functional lines into sections, and then into smaller, more specialized work groups known as units.

FBI field offices are located in 56 major cities in the United States, to include one in Puerto Rico. 

Each FBI field office is overseen by a Special Agent in Charge (SAC).  The largest offices, located in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D. C. are managed by an Assistant Director in Charge (ADIC).  The ADICs  are assisted by SACs responsible for specific programs. The SACs in all field offices are aided by one or more Assistant Special  Agents in Charge. The SACs also are assisted by Squad Supervisors in charge of  investigative work and Administrative Officers, who administer support operations.

Contact with FBI Field Offices in the United States is via the office of the ADIC or SAC. There are currenty over 45 Legal Attache offices in countries worldwide. They are located in U.S. embassies in the countries to which they are accredited. Special Agent representatives abroad carry the titles of Legal Attache, Deputy Legal Attache, or Assistant Legal Attache. Special Agents assigned to Honolulu, Miami, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) Liaison Offices are called Liaison Officers.

Legal Attaches are overseen by the International Operations Section of the Investigative Services Division at FBIHQ. That Branch also is responsible for contacts with other Executive Branch agencies; Interpol; and foreign police and security officers based in Washington, D. C.

Legats not only help international police agencies with training activities, they facilitate resolution of the FBI's domestic investigations which have international leads. The Legat program focuses on deterring crime that threatens America such as drug trafficking, international terrorism, and economic espionage.

Contact with the Legal Attache is through the American Embassy or Consulate.

Medical Support of FBI Operations

FBI agents and Support employees trained as Emergency Medical Technicians provide emergency medical support during selected Bureau missions and deployments.  Medical support can be provided at  Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Life Support levels of care.  Medical direction for this program originates with the FBI  Medical Director of Emergency Medical Services, located at FBIHQ. 

Physician-level support is provided on some deployed operations.  

Medical support of FBI operations is coordinated by the Health Care Programs Unit (HCPU) at FBIHQ.  FBI Medical Officers are available at HCPU to assist in follow-up care of Bureau personnel encountered by the military and civilian medical care system. 

Emergency contact is available on a continual basis through the FBI Strategic Information and Operations Center (SIOC) at  202 323-3300,  by requesting contact with an on-call FBI Medical Officer.  The preferred contact point for incidents outside the United States is the local U.S. Embassy.  For non-urgent questions, contact the Unit Chief, FBI HCPU at 202 324-4976 (M-F 0730-1730 eastern time).   

*Reprinted from: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300