FBI

Guide Note: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the investigative branch of the U.S. Department of Justice. The FBI investigates federal crimes, and serves as a domestic intelligence agency.

The FBI's mission is to protect the United States against terrorism, foreign threats, and uphold the criminal laws of the U.S. The FBI provides services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies. The FBI has jurisdiction over at least 200 categories of federal law, including cyber crime, white collar crime, government fraud, human trafficking and organized crime.

The FBI headquarters are located in Washington DC. There are 56 field offices across the United States, and an additional 400 resident offices located in smaller cities across the nation. The FBI has over 50 offices internationally, these are called "Legal Attaches", and are located in U.S. Embassy's.

Directors of the FBI are appointed by the President of the United States. An FBI Director must then be confirmed by the U.S. Senate and serve ten year terms. FBI employees require Top Secret security clearance. Prospective employees must undergo extensive background checks conducted by the Office of Personnel Management.

Fast Facts:

1. Founded in 1908 as Bureau of Investigation
2. Director: Robert S. Mueller III
3. Annual Budget: $5.7 billion (2006)
4. Headquarters: J. Edgar Hoover Building, Washington, DC
5. Staff: 30,658 employees