FBI Full Form

Shuchi BagchiUpdated On: August 31, 2023 10:57 am IST

FBI full form is Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is the domestic security and intelligence service of the United States. The FBI is also the principal law enforcement agency. The security related work is carried out under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice. In more than 200 categories of federal crimes, the FBI has jurisdiction. FBI actively supports in preserving national security.

What is the Full Form of the FBI?

The full form of FBI is the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was established on 26th July,1908 as an active agency of the government’s department belonging to the ‘Department of Justice of the United States’. Although, it was first started in 1908 with ‘Bureau of Investigation’ name and then the name was changed to the ‘Federal Bureau of Investigation’ in 1935. The primary work of the FBI is to identify and execute the functions of protecting security and maintaining peace in the nation.

How was the FBI Established?

In 1933 after 25 years of establishment of the Bureau of Investigation, it was renamed as the ‘Division of Investigation’ and was affiliated with the department known as Bureau of Prohibition. However, the Division of Investigation did not become a sole departmental service agency for another two years. In 1935, the division's name was once again changed from Division of Investigation known as DOI to Federal Bureau of Investigation known as FBI.

According to the United States Code (popularly known as U.S. Code), Title 28, Section 533 established the FBI’s enforcement authority. As a consequence, the Attorney General was given the authority to appoint officials to detect and prosecute crimes against the security of the United States. Moreover, a number of other federal statutes permit the FBI to responsibly investigate particular crimes.

Facts About FBI

  • As per regulations, the FBI Directors are appointed by the President of the United States which must be approved by the United States Senate.
  • The FBI is headquartered in Washington D.C. in the J. Edgar Hoover Building.
  • The FBI’s main agenda is to administer and maintain law and order in the United States by protecting the country from various security challenges such as terrorist violence, cybercrime and high-tech crime and protecting civil rights of the citizens.
  • The FBI also provides investigative skills, relevant information and training to foreign nations, national agencies and collaborators.
  • The FBI appoints just about 10% of applicants out of the applied application.
  • After being selected, the applicant will undergo a training session at the FBI Academy situated in Quantico.
  • There is a forensic and testing laboratory which includes shooting ranges, library, driving road, gymnasium set up at the Academy Garage.
  • For training purposes, the space demarcated in the town is called Hogan's Alley.

FBI Overview

The FBI, full form of which is Federal Bureau of Investigation, is an active investigating agency in the United States. A brief overview of FBI is given in the table below:

Abbreviation

FBI as Federal Bureau of Investigation

FBI Motto

Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity 

Formed

July 26th, 1908 (as the Bureau of Investigation)

Number of employees

35, 0000

Annual Budget

US$9, 748, 829,000 

Federal Agency

United States

Operations Jurisdiction

United States

Headquarters

J. Edgar Hoover Building, Washington D.C, U.S

Parent Agency

Department of Justice, Office of the the Director of National Intelligence

Apart from the focus on the domestic aspect, theFBI also maintains and manages an international footprint, operating almost in 60 Legal Attache known as LEGAT and 15 sub-offices in U.S embassies and consulates across the world. These forces have a primary purpose of coordination with foreign security services and do not conduct any operations in the host countries particularly. To carry out the secret activities overseas, the FBI undergoes planning and strategy. Earlier, the FBI was known as the Bureau of Investigation, which later changed to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1935.

The Functional Branches of FBI

FBI consists of various branches that work in collaboration to carry out investigation in matters of security threat. Few of the main functional branches of FBI are:

  • FBI Human Resources Branch
  • FBI Intelligence Branch
  • FBI Information and Technology Branch
  • FBI Science and Technology Branch
  • FBI National Security Branch
  • FBI Criminal, Cyber, Response and Services Branch

FBI Agent Eligibility Criteria

To pursue a career as an FBI agent, the candidate must meet certain eligibility criteria laid down by the authority. If the candidate are not able to meet the qualifications, then the candidature shall remain canceled. Few of the important conditions aspiring FBI agent need to meet are:

  • As per guidelines, the applicant should have been issued the American citizenship for at least four years.
  • The applying candidate must be between the ages of 23 and 37.
  • Moreover, the candidate should  not have a criminal history of any sort.
  • Before applying as an FBI agent, the candidate must adhere with FBI drug policy.
  • The student loan repayments must either be cleared or in a good loan repayment score.
  • The candidates must not hold any other official position in the United States Government or any anti-government agencies.
  • The male candidates are required to get registered with the U.S Selective Service.

Critical Eligibility for FBI Agent

Apart from the mainstream eligibility criteria, the candidates applying for FBI agent positions have to fulfill stringent conditions included in the eligibility criteria laid down by the authorities like passing the drug test. Few of the basic requirements for FBI agent are:

  • The candidate shouldn’t have used marijuana or cannabis in either natural or synthetic form within one year preceding the date of their application. These substances should not be used in any location.
  • The candidates shouldn’t have not used any illegal drug within the last ten years preceding the date of filling the application form. Apart from these, the candidates must not have been involved in illicit trafficking of drugs, sold, manufactured or distributed any drugs without the valid legal authorization.

Employment Disqualifiers in FBI

To work with the FBI, the candidates must go through the selection process in which only a small fraction of candidates are hired. If the candidate does not follow the employment criteria, then the job tenure will be terminated or appear as disqualified. Few of the ways in which the employee job is disqualified are:

  • If the candidate have non-US Citizenship
  • If the candidate is convicted of felony ( such as conviction in domestic violence case or similar offense)
  • If the candidate violates FBI employment drug policy
  • While holding a clearance certificate, if the employee is caught using drugs, then the job will be terminated
  • If the employee is defaulter in repaying the student loan insured by the U.S Government
  • If the employee willfully engages in activities designed to overthrow the U.S Government by force or pose security threats
  • If the employee fails to file the federal, state or local income tax returns

FAQs

What is the full form of the FBI?

FBI full form is Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Are FBI agents allowed to travel with firearms?

Agents are permitted to have their firearms on them. However, they do not transgress the laws governing weapons. Agents must always be carrying a weapon.

Can the FBI agent disclose the identity?

No police officer or agent is obligated to disclose their occupation unless it is necessary for the performance of their official responsibilities.

What are the subjects of study in the FBI?

Computer hacking, financial and accounting fraud, illicit gambling, terrorism, and human trafficking are common subjects of study.

Can FBI agents conduct interviews with the victims?

FBI agents may conduct interviews with victims, witnesses, and suspects during an investigation

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