Investigative Programs

Investigative Priorities of the Alaska Division

The FBI concentrates its investigative resources in seven priority programs: Counterterrorism, White-Collar Crime, Drugs/Organized Crime, Violent Crime, Foreign Counter Intelligence, Civil Rights and Applicant matters, in cooperation with local, state and other federal authorities:

Counterterrorism
The FBI is the lead agency in the fight against terrorism in and against the United States. Terrorism is divided into two categories, domestic terrorism and international terrorism.

Domestic terrorism is the unlawful use, or threatened use, of force or violence by a group or individual based and operating entirely within the United States or its territories without foreign direction committed against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.

International terrorism involves violent acts or acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or any state, or that would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States or any state. These acts appear to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion, or affect the conduct of a government by assassination or kidnapping. International terrorist acts occur outside the United States or transcend national boundaries in terms of the means by which they are accomplished, the persons they appear intended to coerce or intimidate, or the locale in which the perpetrators operate or seek asylum.

White-Collar Crime
The White-Collar Crime Program targets such criminal activity as money laundering, bank fraud and embezzlement, public corruption, environmental crimes, fraud against the government, health care fraud, election law violations and telemarketing fraud.

Organized Crime/Drug Investigations
Organized crime and drug matters are linked under the Organized Crime/Drug Program (OCDP) because many of the organized crime groups are drawn to the lucrative profits associated with drug trafficking. The OCDP investigates criminal enterprises, illegal drug cases, money laundering matters, and labor racketeering cases, often under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statute. The OCDP also coordinates national Organized Crime/Drug Enforcement Task Forces.

Violent Crime
The Violent Crime 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.

Foreign Counterintelligence
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 United States borders.

Civil Rights
The FBI's Civil Rights Program investigations violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. The program also oversees allegations of police brutality and housing discrimination matters. Most recently, the Civil Rights Program was charged with enforcing the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which bars conduct that obstruct access to reproductive health facilities.

Applicant Matters
The FBI's Applicant Program manages background investigations on all persons who apply for positions with the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Justice and the FBI. The program also oversees background checks for Presidential Appointees and U.S. Court Candidates. Background investigations involve interviewing neighbors and coworkers of applicants and checking criminal and credit records.