FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

largest investigative agency of the United States federal government. Generally speaking, it is responsible for conducting investigations where a federal interest is concerned, except where another agency of the federal government has been specifically delegated that duty by statute or executive fiat. In pursuance of its duties, the bureau gathers facts and reports the results of its investigations to the attorney general of the United States and his assistants in Washington, D.C., and to the United States attorneys' offices in the federal judicial districts of the nation. The bureau is a part of the Department of Justice, responsible and subordinate to the attorney general of the United States. The bureau, headquartered in Washington, D.C., has field offices in large cities throughout the United States and in Puerto Rico. In addition, the bureau maintains liaison posts in several major foreign cities to facilitate the exchange of information with foreign agencies on matters relating to international crime and criminals. The head of the bureau, whose title is director, was appointed by the attorney general until 1968; thereafter, by law, he became subject to appointment by the president of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate. The bureau has a large staff of employees, including between 6,000 and 7,000 special agents who perform the investigative work. These special agents, the majority of whom have 10 years or more of service with the bureau, are usually required to have either a legal or an accounting education.