Definition of the IC
Leadership of the IC
Management of the IC
Members of the IC
Relationships with Other Government Organizations |
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The general
function of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is to
uphold the law through the investigation of violations of
federal criminal law and to provide leadership and law enforcement
assistance to federal, state, local and international agencies.
Because of this principal law enforcement focus, the FBI is
not (in its entirety) part of the IC. The Bureau does, however,
play an important role in protecting the US from foreign intelligence
activities. The division responsible for this activity (the
National Security Division – NSD) is considered an IC member.
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FBI’s Contribution
to Intelligence
The FBI has
primary responsibility for counterintelligence and counter terrorism
within the United States as well as espionage investigations and
the arrest of international terrorists charged with violating U.S.
laws overseas. As a byproduct of its normal counterintelligence
and counter terrorism investigations, the FBI generates intelligence
and foreign counter intelligence information, which is disseminated,
as appropriate, to other elements of the Intelligence Community.
The overall
mission of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is to uphold
the law through the investigation of violations of Federal criminal
statutes; to protect the United States from foreign intelligence
and terrorist activities; to provide assistance to Federal, state,
local, and international agencies; and to perform these responsibilities
in a manner that is responsive to the needs of the public and is
faithful to the Constitution and laws of the United States.
The FBI is the
principal investigative arm of the US Department of Justice. The
US Code authorizes the Attorney General to appoint officials to
detect crimes against the United States; other Federal statutes
give the FBI authority and responsibility to investigate specific
crimes. At present, the FBI has investigative jurisdiction over
more than 200 categories of violations of Federal law.
The Bureau is
also authorized to investigate matters where no prosecution is contemplated.
For example, under the authority of several Executive Orders, the
FBI conducts background security checks on nominees to sensitive
government positions. In addition, the FBI has been directed or
authorized by Presidential statements or directives to obtain information
about activities that jeopardize the security of the nation.
Information
obtained through FBI investigations is presented to US attorneys
or other Justice Department officials, who decide if prosecution
or other action is warranted. The FBI has identified the following
strategic priorities: Tier 1—National and Economic Security; Tier
2—Criminal Enterprises and Public Integrity; and Tier 3—Crimes Against
Individuals and Property. The FBI is also authorized to provide
cooperative services to other law enforcement agencies, including
fingerprint identification, laboratory examinations, police training,
Uniform Crime Reports, and the services of the National Crime Information
Center.
With respect
to counterintelligence, the FBI is responsible for detecting and
counteracting foreign intelligence activity that gathers information
that adversely affects US national interests or security. The FBI
conducts foreign counterintelligence investigations under the authority
of Executive Order 12333 and acts of Congress.
With regard
to counterterrorism, the FBI’s mission is to identify and neutralize
the threat in the United States posed by terrorists and their supporters,
whether nations, groups, or individuals. Terrorism is categorized
as either domestic or international, depending on the origin, base,
and objectives of the terrorist organization or individual. Criminal
acts investigated under the Counterterrorism Program include violation
of the Protection of Foreign Officials statue, neutrality matters,
nuclear extortion, sabotage, and sedition.
The agency now
known as the FBI was founded in 1908, when Attorney General Charles
J. Bonaparte appointed an unnamed force of Special Agents to be
the investigative force of the Department of Justice. The Special
Agent force was named the Bureau of Investigation in 1909, by order
of Attorney General George W. Wickersham. Following a series of
name changes, the FBI officially received its present title in 1935.
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Related
Links
FBI Web Site
FBI
Precis
FBI
History
What's New at FBI
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