Federal Bureau of Investigation

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the primary investigative branch of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), is the nation's largest and most diverse federal police agency. Its primary functions are to investigate and prevent threats to national security and violations of federal criminal law. FBI priorities include cases involving terrorism, espionage, white-collar crime, organized crime, and crimes of bias and violence.

With over 11,000 agents and 16,000 support staff, the FBI maintains fifty-six field offices throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, along with over forty liaison posts in foreign countries. In addition, the Bureau operates a centralized support network of administrative and specialized units, including the Training and Laboratory Divisions. The FBI provides service and aid to local, state, national, and international agencies. Fingerprint and DNA analyses, ballistic and forensic investigations, and police training are among the specialized services offered. The FBI also maintains the Uniform Crime Reports—an annual measure of crime in the United States.

FBI agents are highly trained and skilled investigators. The media often depict agents' activities as perpetually exciting and dangerous. In reality, an agent's average day often consists of long hours of surveillance, research, evidence collection, and report writing.

The FBI traces its origins to 1908, when the DOJ hired former Secret Service agents to investigate several types of federal crime, including antitrust and banking violations. The creation of the Bureau was controversial. In the early twentieth century, the idea of a federal police force conjured up images of an internal spy system and of weakened local and state control over policing. Nevertheless, as interstate crimes increased and threats to national security became a greater concern, the need for a strong federal police force was realized. The FBI grew in size and scope throughout the century. Known as the Bureau of Investigation in 1909, the FBI gained its current title in 1935.

The single most influential figure in FBI history was J. Edgar Hoover (1895–1972). Director of the FBI from 1924 until his death, Hoover inherited an organization that was engulfed in scandal and corruption. [Page 685]Hoover instituted a series of reforms meant to remove political influence and promote a positive image of the FBI. Unqualified or corrupt Bureau officials were removed, and new standards of education and training were set. Hoover successfully portrayed his agents as professional law enforcers who utilized science and determination to solve serious crime and catch dangerous felons. This crime-fighting “G-man” image was fueled by the creation of the “Public Enemy” list and by successful (and well-publicized) cases against notorious criminals like John Dillinger and Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd. Although the “crime fighter” image was publicized, the FBI also engaged in covert activities during the Hoover years. These activities included the controversial surveillance of political leaders, social activists, and other private citizens who supposedly posed a threat to national security. Despite these controversies, the successes of the FBI allowed it to grow into one of the most recognized and respected police agencies in the world.

The first man listed as Most Wanted by the FBI. Holden was wanted for train robbery, escape from prison, and three murders. After escaping from prison twice, Holden was captured a final time after being identified by a coworker in Oregon.

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