TUCoPS :: Privacy :: fbi-file.txt

TUCoPS :: Privacy :: fbi-file.txt
Obtaining and understanding your FBI File

What Do They Know About You?

Obtaining and Understanding Your FBI File

Want to discover what the FBI has on file about you? You might think they
have nothing -- then again, you could be wrong. There is only one way to
find out for sure...ask! In this report, you will discover not only how to
obtain your files and where to send for them, but you will also discover
some of the codes and acronyms used in FBI files. Without these codes and
acronyms, deciphering your FBI files could prove difficult, if not
impossible. IMPORTANT: Keep this information, as you will need it when you
receive your files from the FBI. In addition, there is an explanation of:

* The Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FOIPA)
* How the FBI deals with FOIPA requests
* What circumstances the FBI can refuse to release certain information
to you, and
* An explanation of how to send an appeal letter if your request is
denied

But first, before we tackle how to request your files, there is a section
on how the FBI organizes and maintains their files. There is also
discussion on the types of information found in their filing system as well
as the classification codes the FBI uses. The FBI has established a large
presence on the World Wide Web, and they have posted some documents there
for your reading pleasure -- including information on the UFO crash in
Roswell, New Mexico over 50 years ago, as well as information on gangsters
and America's Most Wanted. See if your mysterious neighbor is this years
new Al Capone! The main FBI site promises to publish other documents in
their electronic reading room in the future. We may assume that, perhaps,
some day we will be able to access our own files electronically. Finally,
in keeping with the current electronic nature of the Internet and gaining
information off the 'Net, there is a listing of not only the FBI Field
Offices which have homepages on the Web, but also a section on other
FBI-related Web sites you may be interested in exploring.

FBI FILES - HOW THEY'RE ORGANIZED

In the central records system used by the FBI, records are classified by
210 numbers which designate the type of file and what it relates to.

* General Index is the alphabetical index of the main files.
* The Central Records Filing Systems are divided into 210 different
numbers which indicate each of the FBI's investigative and
administrative tasks.
* Main files usually contain documents that are collected during the
course of an investigation. Subfiles are sections of the main files.
They can be lettered or numbered, and usually contain information,
newspaper clippings, physical surveillance information, wiretaps and
other typical forms of recorded espionage.
* There are four types of file classifications: administrative,
applicant, investigative and personnel
* Control files are those separate files which relate to a specific
matter and is used as an administrative means of managing, or
"controlling" a certain program or investigative matter. However, not
every program or investigative matter gets a "control file." This is
decided on a discretionary basis by those in charge. Apparently, the
FBI is less than forthcoming about control files.

THREE SETS OF NUMBERS MAKE UP THE FBI FILE NUMBER
FOR EXAMPLE: 12-34567-890

* The first number is the classification number and tells what type of
investigation the document relates to. 12
* The second number is known as the Individual Case Number and are in
sequence as to the number of file opened in that particular office.
34567
* The third number is the document number, or serial number. This
indicates in which order it was placed in the file. 890

At the FBI Headquarters, either a "0" or "00" is put before the first case
appearing in a classification. "0" files include miscellaneous data or
complaints for which there are no need to open a separate case file. "00"
files contain procedures and policies that relate to classification. If
there is a change pertaining to classification procedures, that document is
put in the "00" file. But what do all those classification numbers mean?
You will find the numbers, along with detailed descriptions, in the FBI's
yearly "Privacy Act" notices in the Federal Register. Over the years, there
are changes to titles or descriptions, but the categories' general essence
usually remains intact. Below you'll find a comprehensive listing of
classification numbers -- including older categories that are obsolete but
have been used in older FBI files. For the sake of continuity and
comprehension, the classification numbers have been kept in order and
intact.

CLASSIFICATION NUMBER DEFINITIONS:
1. National Service Academy,
training schools, or 71. Bills of Lading 141. False Entries
pertaining to FBI National Act in Records of
Academy Applicants. Interstate Carriers
72. Obstruction of
2. Neutrality Matters. Criminal 142. Illegal Use of
Investigation Railroad Pass
73. Application for
Pardon after
3. Overthrow or Destruction Completion of 143. Interstate
of the Government. Sentence and Transportation of
Application for Gambling Devices
Executive Clemency
4. National or Federal
Firearms Acts; State 144. Interstate
Firearms Control Assistance 74. Perjury Transportation of
Act; Unlawful Possession or Lottery Tickets
Receipt of Firearms.
145. Interstate
Transportation of
5. Income Tax. 75. Bondsmen and Obscene Matter or
Sureties
Broadcasting Obscene
Language
76. Escaped Federal
6. Interstate Transportation Prisoner, 146. Interstate
of Strikebreakers. Probation/Parole Transportation of
Violator, Mandatory Prison-Made Goods
Release Violator
147. Department of
7. Kidnapping. 77. Applicants Housing and Urban
Development Matters
78. Illegal Use of
148. Interstate
8. Migratory Bird Act. Government Transportation of
Transportation
Requests Fireworks
149. Destruction of
9. Extortion. 79. Missing Persons Motor Vehicles or
Aircraft
150. Harboring of
10. Red Cross Act. 80. Laboratory Federal Fugitives
Research Matters
(statistics)
151. Agency for
International
Development,
Department of
Energy, Civil
Service Commission,
National Aeronautics
and Space
11. Tax -- except income Administration,
tax. 81. Gold Hoarding National Science
Foundation, Peace
Corps, Actions, U.S.
Arms Control and
Disarmament Agency,
World Health
Organization,
International Labor
Organization, U.S.
Information Agency

12. Narcotics 82. War Risk 152. Switchblade
Insurance Knife Act

13. Miscellaneous, National 153. Automobile
Defense Act, Prostitution 83. Court of Claims. Information
Disclosure Act
84. Reconstruction 154. Interstate
14. Sedition Finance Corporation Transportation of
Act Unsafe Refrigerators

15. Theft from Interstate 85. Homeowner Loan 155. National
Shipment Corp Aeronautics and
Space Act of 1958

16. Violation Federal 86. Federal Lending 156. Employee
injunction and Insurance Retirement Income
Agencies Security Act
87. Fraud by
17. Veterans Administration television, radio or
Matters wire, Interstate 157. Civil Unrest
Transportation of
Stolen Property
88. Unlawful Flight
to Avoid Giving 158.
Labor-Management
18. May Act Testimony, Unlawful Reporting and
Flight to Avoid
Prosecution, Custody Disclosure Act of
or Confinement 1959
159. Investigative
89. Assaulting or matters, Labor
19. Censorship Matters Killing a Federal Management Reporting
Officer and Disclosure Act
of 1959

20. Federal Graln Standards 90. Irregularities in 160. Federal Train
Act Federal Penal Wreck Statute
Institutions
161. Special
Inquiries for White
21. Food and Drugs 91. Bank Burglary, House, Congressional
Larceny or Robbery
Committee and Other
Government Agencies
22. National Motor Vehicle 162. Interstate
Traffic Act 92. Anti-Racketeering Gambling Activities
93. Ascertaining
Financial Ability - a
23. Prohibition person's ability to 163. Foreign Police
pay a fine or claim Cooperation
by the U.S.
Government

24. Profiteering 94. Research Matters 164. Crime Aboard
Aircraft
165. Interstate
25. Selective Service 95. Laboratory Cases Transmission of
Wagering Information
26. Interstate
Transportation of Stolen 166. Interstate
Motor Vehicles; Interstate 96. Alien Applicant Transportation in
Transportation of Stolen Aid of Racketeering
Aircraft.

27. Patent Matters 97. Foreign Agents 167. Destruction of
Registration Act Interstate Property
168. Interstate
28. Copyright Matters 98. Sabotage Transportation of
Wagering
Paraphernalia
99. Plant Survey
(Inspections of
29. Bank Fraud and industrial plants by 169. Hydraulic Brake
Embezzlement FBI to prevent them Fluid Act
from being victims of
espionage)
30. Interstate Quarantine 100. Domestic 170. Extremist
Law Security Informants
101. Hatch Act -
31. White Slave Traffic Act subversive acts by 171. Motor Vehicle
Government employees Seat Belt Act
32.
Identification/Fingerprints 102. Voorhis Act 172. Sports Bribery
173. Public
Accommodations,
103. Interstate Civil Rights Act of
33. Uniform Crime Reporting. Transportation of 1964 Public
Stolen Cattle Facilities,
Education,
Employment
104. Servicemen's 174. Explosives and
34. Violation of Lacy Act Dependents Allowance Incendiary Devices;
Act of 1942 Bomb Threats

105. Foreign 175. Assaulting the
35. Civil Service Matter Counterintelligence President (or Vice
Matters President) of the
United States
106. Alien Enemy
36. Mail Fraud Control or Escaped 176. Anti-riot Laws
Prisoners of War
37. False Claims Against the 107. Denaturalization 177. Discrimination
Government Proceedings in Housing

38. Application for Pardon 108. Foreign Travel 178. Interstate
to Restore Civil Rights Control Obscene or Harassing
Telephone Calls
39. Falsely Claiming 109. Foreign 179. Extortionate
Citizenship Political Matters Credit Transactions

40. Passports/Visas 110. Foreign Economic 180. Desecration of
Matters the Flag

41. Explosives 111. Foreign Social 181.Consumer Credit
Conditions Protection Act
182. Illegal
42. Deserters or Harboring Gambling Business,
Deserters 112. Foreign Funds Obstruction or
Forfeiture
43. Illegal Wearing of
Uniforms, as well as:
* False Advertising: Misuse
of Names, Words, Emblems or
Insignia
* Illegal Manufacture, Use,
Possession, or Sale of
Emblems and Insignia
* Counterfeiting Seal of 113. Foreign Military 183.
Department or Agency of the and Naval Matters
United States
* Misuse of the Great Seal of
the United States, Seals of
the President or the Vice
President of the United
States; Unauthorized Use of
Smokey Bear Symbol
44. Civil Rights; Election
Laws, Voting Rights Act; 114. Alien Property
Overseas Citizens Voting Custodian Matters 184. Police Killings
Rights Act of 1975.
185. Protection of
45. Crime on the High Seas 115. Bail Jumper or Foreign
Bond Default Officials/Guests of
the United States
46. Fraud Against the
Government, Federal Aid Road
Act, Lead and Zinc Act,
Public Works and Economic
Development Act of 1965, 186. Real Estate
Renegotiation Act, Criminal; 116. Dept of Energy Settlement
Renegotiation Act, Civil; Applicant or Employee Procedures Act of
Trade Expansion Act of 1962, 1974
Unemployment Compensation
Statutes, Economic
Opportunity Act.

47. Impersonation 117. Dept of Energy - 187. Privacy Act of
relates to Criminal 1974 (criminal)
48. Postal violation other 118. Intelligence 188. Crime
than mail fraud Agency Applicant Resistance
119. Federal
49. National Bankruptcy Act Regulations of 189. Equal Credit
Lobbying Act Opportunity Act

50. Involuntary Servitude 120. Federal Tort 190. Freedom of
and Slavery Claims Act Information/Privacy
Acts
51. Jury Panel 121. Loyalty of 191. False Identity
Investigations Government Employees Matters
52. Theft, Robbery,
Embezzlement, Illegal
Possession or Destruction of 122. Labor Management 192. Hobbs Act -
Government Property, Relations Act Financial
Interference with Government Institutions
Communications
123. Special Inquiry 193. Hobbs Act
53. Excess Profits on Wool - State Dept/Voice of -Commercial
America Institutions

54. Customs Laws and 124. European 194. Hobbs Act -
Smuggling Recovery Program Corruption of Public
Officials

55. Counterfeiting 125. Railway Labor 195. Hobbs Act -
Act Labor-related
126. National
56. Election Laws Security Resources 196. Fraud by Wire
Board
127. Sensitive 197. Civil Actions
57. War Labor Dispute Act Positions in U.S. or Claims Against
Government the Government
58. Bribery or Conflict of 128. International 198. Crime on Indian
Interest Development Program Reservations

59. World War Adjusted 129. Evacuation 199. Foreign
Compensation Act Claims Counterintelligence
- terrorism
130. Special Inquiry 200. Foreign
60. Anti-Trust - Armed Forces Counterintelligence
Security Act Matters - China

61. Treason or Misprision of 131. Admiralty 201. Foreign
Treason Matters Counterintelligence
Matters -Satellite
62. Miscellaneous: including
Administrative Inquiries,
Misconduct Investigations of
Officers and Employees of
the Department of Justice 132. Special Inquiry 202. Foreign
and Federal Judiciary; - Office of Defense Counterintelligence
Domestic Police Cooperation, Mobilization Matters - Cuba
Eight Hour-Day Law, Fair
Labor Standards Act of 1938
(Wage and Hours Law),
conspiracy
203. Foreign
63. Miscellaneous 133. National Science Counterintelligence
Non-subversive Foundation Matters - all other
Act/Applicant
countries
134. Foreign
64. Foreign Miscellaneous Counter-Intelligence 204. Federal Revenue
Assets Sharing
135. Protection of
205. Foreign Corrupt
65. Espionage Strategic Air Command Practices Act of
Bases of the U.S. Air
Force 1977
206. Fraud Against
66. Administrative matters 136. American Legion the Government -
Contact Department of
Defense
207. Fraud Against
137. Informants Other the Government -
67. Personnel matters than Foreign Environmental
Counter-Intelligence Protection Agency
(EPA)
138. Loyalty of
Employees of the 208. Fraud Against
68. Alaskan matters United Nations and the Government -
Other Public General Services
International Admin
Organizations
209. Fraud Against
the Government -
69. Contempt of court 139. Interception of Dept. of Health,
Communications
Education and
Welfare

70. Crime on Government 140. Security of 210. Fraud Against
Reservation Government Employees the Government-
Department of Labor

BASICS

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PRIVACY ACT:

THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT: 5 U.S.C. Sec. 552, As Amended by Public Law
No. 104-231, 110 Stat. 2422

Revisions have been made to the FOIA in March of 1997 and October of 1997.
Below you will find key information about the FOIA, as well as The Privacy
Act of 1974.

It is advisable to request information under both the FOIA and The Privacy
Act of 1974. Also, you are also allowed to correct, change or omit
information about you that is inaccurate, out of date, or not complete.

If the agency refuses to provide access to your information or disallows
you to correct your record, The Privacy Act allows you to sue that agency.
Be aware that if you choose to sue, you have six years to file under FOIA,
but only two years to sue under the Privacy Act.

Currently, the Privacy Act is restricted to use by U.S. citizens and
permanent resident aliens. Under the Freedom of Information Act, any person
can obtain access to any records. You cannot be charged for searching
costs, but a charge may apply for copying the material. Once you request
information, agencies, such as the FBI, must decide within 20 working days
whether they will comply with the request.

In the past, the decision was supposed to have been made within 10 days,
however, this was recently changed. They must let the requester know if
they've decided to fulfill the request or deny it. If they deny it, they
must let the requester know, as they have a right to appeal the decision.
If you receive a denial and you send an appeal letter, the FBI must respond
to you within 20 working days to the appeal.

An agency may take an additional ten days to respond to the initial request
or the appeal in "unusual circumstances." This usually means the agency has
to obtain records from its field offices, or has to process a large volume
of separate records. It could also mean that they have to consult with
another agency or two or more of its components in order to satisfy your
request.

The FOIA only includes federal government agencies, not state ones or
private businesses. In addition, private individuals and organizations are
not covered, either. There are also some federal elements that are exempt
from the FOIA. Federal courts, Congress and those who assist or advise the
President are not covered by the FOIA.

The FBI maintains that the FOIPA Section of the Office of Public and
Congressional Affairs has about 400 staff members as of January 1998.

HOW THE FBI DEALS WITH MEETING DEMANDS OF THE FOIA AND PRIVACY ACTS
(FOIAP):

In 1975, after amendments to the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy
Act of 1974 took effect, the FBI then had to provide more access to their
much-coveted files than had previously been given. Since then, requests
have grown exponentially. In fact, the FBI estimates that in the last two
decades, some six million pages of information has been released in
response to nearly half a million requests.

Typically, once you have requested information from the FBI, your request
is entered into their computer database and given a specific number.
Acknowledgment of your request is made, and then, the agency searches for
information pertinent to your request. Finally, if files are located by the
agency, it is then determined if those files are the correct files. Because
there are countless John Smith's, for instance, it must be determined that
they have information for the correct John Smith.

For the FBI, standard procedure includes not only making a copy of the
file, but an analyst also reviews the file. This analyst decides if any
parts of information in the documents should be kept from the person making
the request.

The law provides for exemptions, so by following the guidelines in the
FOIPA, the FBI can withhold some information. If information is chosen for
deletion, a marker is used to highlight that information. In addition, the
analyst cites the specific exemption that applies, by writing the
explanation in the margin. Once the document(s) are copied, the material
the analyst has chosen to delete is blackened out on the copy the requester
receives.

According to the FBI, the future will see electronic versions of these
documents which they anticipate will take the place of the old way of
"marking out" the material. At the main FBI Web site listed near the end of
this report, you will find an electronic reading room where you can view
some files that have been released for public viewing.

HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR FBI FILES: UTILIZING THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
(FOIA):

To exercise your rights under the FOIA and to obtain your FBI file, we
recommend that you DO NOT USE THE FORM PROVIDED BY THE FBI. It is designed
to minimize disclosure by the Agency. Instead, USE THE FORM WE HAVE
INCLUDED with this report for that purpose. You will find a copy ready to
be printed out and used by you in the file that accompanies this report. .
This form was prepared by lawyers who are experts in the Freedom of
Information Act to guarantee you get all the documents to which you are
entitled. All you have to do is have the form we provided notarized and
then mail it to the agency from which you're seeking information.

Near the end of this report, you will find a complete, up-to-date listing
of all FBI field offices, as well as for the FBI Headquarters. In addition,
there is a section that lists Field Office homepage Website addresses. Not
all Field Offices have a place in cyberspace yet, but many do. It's well
worth a surf around to check them out!

In addition, it is advisable to send requests to each field office that
might also have information. Be sure to keep a copy of the original signed
and notarized form for your own records.

* IMPORTANT NOTE:One more thing, if you're thinking of pretending to be
someone else in order to get their information, you should be aware
that this misrepresentation is a CRIMINAL OFFENSE!

WHEN CAN THE FBI WITHHOLD INFORMATION FROM YOU?

There are certain exemptions to the FOIA. These exemptions are divided into
nine categories. However, the FBI cannot withhold the whole document
because it contains exempted material. They must mark out the exempted
sections and provide you with the rest of the document.

THE NINE CATEGORIES OF EXEMPTIONS:

#1 - National Security: This includes any information, which could cause
damage to national security. Typically, this would include information on
weapons, records from the Central Intelligence Agency, some military
information or special technology or scientific advances that affect
national security.

#2 - Rules which apply internally to agencies: This covers certain specific
rules and practices of the agency in question.

#3 - Information that is covered by other statutes: Certain information has
been deemed confidential by other statutes, such as personal tax
information or certain data gathered by the census.

#4 - Information related to business: Information relating to trade
secrets, sales statistics, trade secrets/manufacturing formulas, financial
information, or other commercially related confidential information. This
also applies to oil wells (see exemption #9).

#5 - Memos which relate to inter- or intra-agency letters or memos of a
confidential nature:

#6 - Information which would be an invasion of personal privacy, such as
medical or personnel files

#7 - Information pertaining to law enforcement investigations: If releasing
information which relates to a law enforcement investigation would invade
personal privacy, jeopardize a person's right to a fair trial, reveal a
confidential source, reveal means of investigation or threaten the safety
(or even the life) of a person, then this is when the exemption would
apply.

#8 - Information related to the operation or examination of financial
institutions: This exemption covers not only banks and trust companies, it
also covers The Federal Reserve System.

#9 - Information regarding the location of oil wells and related geological
information:

DENIED! NOW WHAT DO YOU DO? APPEAL!

SAMPLE APPEAL LETTER:

If your request for information is denied, you can send an appeal letter.
You may choose to write the letter yourself, or have your personal attorney
sign the letter.

Below is a sample appeal letter.

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act -- Request for Appeal
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Chief FOIA & Privacy Act Section
Room 6296 JEH
935 Pennsylvania Avenue
NW Washington, D.C. 20535

This letter serves as my appeal under the Freedom of Information
Act, 6 U.S.C. Sec. 552(a) and requests a reconsideration of your
decision.

Previously, I requested documents under the Freedom of
Information Act on (insert date). Your agency assigned this
identification number [insert number here] to my request. My request was
denied per a letter received on [insert date]. This letter of denial was
signed by [insert name of person who denied request.]

I would like to receive an explanation as to why my request for
information was denied. It is my belief that these requested documents
should be released under the FOIA due to [list reason here]. According
to the current statute, I understand a decision on my appeal to be made
within 20 working days.

Thank you for your consideration, and I expect to hear from you on this
matter soon.

Sincerely,
Your name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Telephone Number

Perhaps you've been stopped in your tracks by a fee request for the
information you would like to obtain. You CAN ask for the fees to be waived
if you're not seeking them for commercial use, if you're a member of the
media who is strictly using the info in newsgathering, or if you believe
releasing the documents would be in the public's interest and would
facilitate better understanding of the government and its operations.

Below is a sample letter, requesting waiver of fees:

Re: Freedom of Information Act Appeal
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Chief FOIA & Privacy Act Section
Room 6296 JEH
935 Pennsylvania Avenue
NW Washington, D.C. 20535

Dear:
This serves as my appeal under the Freedom of Information Act, 6
U.S.C.Sec. 552(a).

As of [date] I requested documents under the Freedom of
Information Act and my request was assigned the following number:
[insert number here]. Your response, dated [date] and signed by [insert
signer's name], indicated that my request for a waiver of fees was
denied. I would like to appeal this decision to deny my request for a
waiver of fees because I believe I am entitled to a waiver of fees.

It is in the public interest for these requested documents to be
disclosed, especially since the information therein will likely to
contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or
activities of the government. I would also like to add that the
information I am requesting is not primarily in my commercial
interests/for commercial use.

**add if you are a member of the media**

In addition, I believe I should not have to pay search charges
because I am a reporter seeking information as part of newsgathering,
which is not intended for commercial use.

As granted in the statute, I trust that a final ruling on this
appeal will reach me within 20 working days.

Thank you for consideration.

Sincerely,
Name
Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Telephone Number

DECIPHERING INFORMATION ON FBI REPORTS:

CODES AND LETTERS ~~ WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

Although it's true that we may never know all of the codes used by the FBI,
here is a listing of some of the terms, which can be found in FBI
documents. Instead of being stymied and confused by acronyms you don't
understand or befuddled by inner-Bureau lingo, now you have a handy tool.
It's the same idea as a handy pocket guide that translates a foreign
language; only this time, the language you'll be converting will be
FBI-ese! Be aware that not all terms may be covered in this list, as there
are still abbreviations and acronyms that have not been deciphered.
However, you'll find this list rather extensive and informative. Call it
your mini-primer to cutting through all the confusing, misunderstood
notations you might see in your FBI files!

CODES AND LETTERS:
? - Not able to AAG - Assistant AD - Assistant Add. Info - ADIC - Assistant
identify if file Attorney General Director Additional Director in Charge
material belongs with information
the information
requested on a
particular individual
ADM - Administrative AG - Attorney General AIRTEL - UrgentAKA - "Also known AL - Albany Field
internal FBI as" EXAMPLE: Joe Office
communication Smith, A.K.A. Joe Q
which must be Smith
typed the same
day it is
dictated.
AMSD - Air mail AN - Anchorage Field Analysts - workAnonymous Source - AO - Auxiliary
special delivery Office in FOIPA branchGenerally refers to Office
and determine usage of an illegal
what investigative
information technique
should be
released to a
requester.
APB - All Points Applicant AQ - ARL - Pertains to ARMS - Automated
Bulletin Investigation, or Albuquerque anti-riot laws Records Management
Apps - Refers to Field Office System
employees or
applicants of federal
agencies.
ASAC - Ass't Special Asset - Term used for Assistant Assistant to the Associate Director -
Agent in Charge. informants Director or Director - Prior to 1979, this
Second in command of a Ass't D - TitleHigh-level FBI position was the
field office. given to the official who is also second in command of
Head of each known as the Deputy the FBI.
division of FBIAssociate Director.
Headquarters,
as well as the
New York and
Los Angeles
field offices.
Replaced
Associate
Director in
1979.
AT - Atlanta Field ATIO - Means, Att C.F. - AUSA - Assistant Auxiliary Office or
Office "adjusted time in Attach case U.S. Attorney AO - Field offices
office." Agents can file which offer a
subtract from time in supporting role, yet
office on special not a primary one,
projects or in in investigations
conferences.
AX - Alexandria Field B. - "the Bureau," or BA - Baltimore BB - "bank burglary" Bed to Bed FISUR -
Office FBI Headquarters Field Office Morning to night
physical
surveillance of a
person who is under
investigation.
BEX - Black extremist BH - Birmingham Field Big Manual - BL - Bank larceny Black Bag Job -
Office Known as the Entry by the FBI
official FBI (without a warrant)
Manual of Rules to conduct searches,
and take photographs or
Regulations. to confiscate
documents. This does
not apply to
installation of
microphones for
recording purposes,
however.
Blind Memo - A memo Blue Slip - Voucher BR Matters - BS - Boston Field BSU - Black Student
that has no marks to used with Bank robbery Office Union
identify that it came confidential FBI matters
from the FBI. funds. Blue Slip
funds are used to pay
FBI informants.
BT - Butte Field BU - Buffalo Field BUFIL - Files BUG - Concealed Bureau - Another
Office Office which are kept recording device: name for the FBI
at the microphone.
Washington,
D.C. FBI
Headquarters
C - can mean Capbom - Relates to Case File - theCase Number - Used CC - Carbon copy
"communist," "a 1971 bombing of the main file after the
criminal manner U.S. Capitol classification
informant," number in the FBI
"confidential," or file number.
could mean a case is
closed.
CCH - Computer CE - Charlotte Field CF - Case file CH - channelized, CG - Chicago Field
Criminal Histories Office which means copies Office
have been provided
to the correct
offices
CGR - Crime on Change-to Memo - CHICOMS - Chief Clerk - Clerk, CI - "Confidential
Government Reservation Means a particular Chinese whose responsibility Informant" or
document was moved to Communists is to open, index "Cincinnati Field
a file that was more and provide Office" or
appropriate. documents to the "Communist Index"
correct FBI
employee.
CIA - Central CIC - Counter CINAL - CurrentCIP - CL - Can mean
Intelligence Agency Intelligence Corp Intelligence Counterintelligence "closed" or "civil
Analyses, whichProgram litigation."
are made up of
information on
domestic
intelligence.
CMC - CMS - CNDI - CO - Columbia Field COGOG - Communists
Communist-Pro-Chinese Communist-Pro-Soviet Confidential Office In Government Groups
National
Defense
Informant
COINTELPRO - Comfugs - Communist COMINFIL - COMINT - Comintern -
Counterintelligence fugitives Communist Communications Communist
Program supposedly Infiltration Intelligence International
discontinued in 1971.
COMPIC -Communist Comsab - Communist Consensual CONUS - Continental Cover - To conceal
Picture Album sabotage Monitoring - United States one's dealings with
Monitoring a the FBI or other
conversation agency, such as the
through CIA
electronic
means with the
consent of one
of the people
involved
CP-USA - Communist CRC-PO - Clandestine CRS - Central CRU - Classification CRV - Conditional
Party U.S.A. Radio Communications, Records System Review Unit Release Violator
Potential Operators
CS - Confidential CSC - Civil Service CTNF - CV - Cleveland Field DAPLI - Departmental
Source Commission Computerized Office Applicants,
Telephone Professional Staff
Number File
DCGO - Direct Coast DCI - Director of DD-553 - DE - Detroit Field DEA - Drug
Guard Office Central Intelligence Defense Office Enforcement
Department Form Administration
Dead drop - A place Detcom - Detention of DIDomestic DIOuty Intelligence DISefense
for dropping off and Communists Intelligence Officer Investigative
picking up spy Division Service
information
DLallas Field Office DOB - Date of Birth DOD - DOE - Department of DOJ - Department of
Department of Energy Justice
Defense
"Do Not File" - Downgrade - To lower DS - Pertains Electronic ELSUR - Electronic
Pertains to records the level of to files which Surveillance - surveillance
intentionally kept out classification of a have been Includes monitoring
of the main records file. destroyed by means of
system wiretapping or by
microphone
EP - El Paso Field Esp-R - Russian Esp. Sec. - Established Sources Exp. Proc. -
Office espionage Espionage - Persons who Expedite Processing
Section already supply
information to the
Bureau
FAG - Fraud Against FBI - Federal Bureau FBI HQ - FBW - Fraud by Wire FCI - Foreign
Government of Investigation Federal Bureau Counterintelligence
of
Investigation
Headquarters
FGJ - Federal Grand FHD - Federal House FINDER - FISUR - Physically Five - Division
Jury of Detention Automated watching subjects, Five, otherwise
fingerprint such as a known as
scanner machinedemonstration Intelligence
used at FBI HQ Division
FNU - First Name FO - Field Office FOIA - Freedom FOIPA - Freedom of - Fingerprint
Unknown of Information Information/Privacy classification
Act Act
FRN - Foreign FUDE - Fugitive or Fug - Fugitive GAO - General GJ - Grand Jury
Affiliation Deserter Accounting Office
Glove - Another word G-Men - FBI Agents HCUA - House Hit - When HN - Honolulu Field
for covered by Committee on information is found Office
surveillance Un-American in the NCIC
Activities (National Crime
Information
Computer) Program
HO - Houston Field HQ - Federal Bureau I - Identical IA - Informative IACP - International
Office of Investigation Asset Association of
Headquarters Chiefs of Police
IC - Incoming or Illegals - Persons Info - Informant or INFT - INS - Immigration
Investigative Clerk from foreign Information Individual who and Naturalization
countries who enter provides information Service
the U.S. illegally to the FBI
Inspector - Official Interpol - INV - IOC - Interception IP - Indianapolis
in the FBI whose job International Investigative of Communications Field Office
it is to conduct Criminal Police
yearly inspections on Organization
document handling in
Field Offices
IPAL - Information and IRS - Internal IS - Internal IS-C - Internal ISINT - Israeli
Privacy Acts Revenue Service Security Security - Communist Intelligence Service
Litigation
ISS - Indices Search ITAR - Interstate ITOM - ITSMV - Interstate ITSP - Interstate
Slip Transportation in Aid Interstate Transportation of Transportation of
of Racketeering Transportation Stolen Motor Stolen Property
of Obscene Vehicles
Matter
JCS - Joint Chiefs of JK - Jacksonville JN - Jackson K-(followed by a KBE - Key Black
Staff Field Office Field Office number) - Stands for Extremist
Laboratory specimen
ID number
KC - Kansas City Field KGB - Russian KX - Knoxville LA - Los Angeles LCN- La Cosa Nostra
Office Committee for State Field Office Field Office - the Mafia, or
Security - Russian organized crime
Intelligence Agency
Legat - Legal attache LNU - Last Name LR - Little LRC - Last Relevant LS - Louisville
Unknown Rock Field Communication Field Office
Office
LV - Las Vegas Field Mail Intercept - MC - Mexico ME - Memphis Field MF - Main File
Office Opening mail City Legal Office
Attache
MI - Mis-indexed MI-5 - British MI-t - British MID - Military MISUR - Surveillance
Security Service; Intelligence Intelligence conducted by
similar to FBI Service; Division microphones
similar to CIA
MM - Miami Field MO - Mobile Field MOI - Manual ofMP - Minneapolis MPD - Metropolitan
Office Office Instructions Field Office Police Department
MS - Denotes a MURKIN - Files NCIC - NationalNCIC Cleared - ND - Naval District
document is missing pertaining to the Crime Fugitive is in
assassination of Information custody
Martin Luther King, Computer
Jr.
NF - Norfolk Field NH - New Haven Field IS - Naval NK - Newark Field NO - New Orleans
Office Office Investigative Office Field Office
Service
NP - Not Pertinent NPC - Newspaper NR - No Record NSA - National NY - New York Field
Clippings Security Agency Office
O & C - Official and OC - "Out of the OO - Office of OG- Outgoing phone OM - Omaha Field
Confidential Country" or "Oklahoma Origin call Office
City Field Office" or
"Organized Crime"
1A Envelope - Envelops OOJ - Obstruction of ORI - P - Pending P* - Pending, but
which usually contain Justice Originating inactive
physical evidence Agency
P & C - Personal and P & P - Pamphlets and PCI - PotentialPct - Precinct PF - Personal File
Confidential Publications Crime Informant
PG - Pittsburgh Field Ph - Phonetic PH - PHS - Personal POB - Place of Birth
Office spelling Philadelphia History Statement
Field Office
PR - Prosecutive PRI - Potential PRN - Puerto PROSAB - Protection Protect - To keep a
Report Racial Informant Rican of Strategic Air person's identity a
Nationalist Command Bases of secret
U.S. Air Force
PSI - Potential PV - Parole Violator PX - Phoenix RA - Resident Agent RCMP - Royal
Security Informant Field Office or Resident Agency Canadian Mounted
Police
Relet - Referring to Req Rec'd - Request REV - RM - Registered Mail R/S - Routing Slip
letter .... has been received Revolutionary
RUC - Referred Upon RWBS - Report Will Be S - Secret; SA - "Special Agent" SAC - Special Agent
Completion Submitted data that is or "San Antonio in Charge
deemed to causeField Office"
damage to
national
security if
released
S-B - Soviet Bloc SD - San Diego Field SE - "Special Sec - Section See Ref - See
Office Employee of the(usually followed by Reference
FBI" or a number)
"Seattle Field
Office"
Sensitive - SF - San Francisco SI - "Security SJ - San Juan Field SL - St. Louis Field
Information that, if Field Office Informant"or Office Office
exposed, could cause "Springfield
embarrassment Field Office"
Source - A person who SS - Search Slip SSA - SelectiveSSN - Selective Stats - Statistics
provides information Service Act Service Number
to the FBI
SU - Salt Lake City SUB or Subj - Subject Sulet - Submit SUM - Summary SUPV - Supervisor
Field Office Letter
SV - Savannah Field SWAT - Special T-(followed by TEPCI - Top Echelon TESUR - Surveillance
Office Weapons and Tactics a number) - Potential Criminal conducted via
Team Denotes a Informant telephone
confidential
source
TFIS - Theft From TGP - Theft of TIO - Time in TOPLEV - Top Level TP - Tampa Field
Interstate Shipment Government Property Office Office
TS - Top Secret. Turn - To become an U - UACB - Unless UCR - Uniform Crime
Material of this FBI informant "Unavailable Advised to Contrary Reports
nature has been Reference"or by the Bureau
determined to cause "Unclassified"
extreme damage to
national security
UFAC - Unlawful Flight UFAP - Unlawful UNSUB - UnknownUpgrade - When a USA - United States
to Avoid Confinement Flight to Avoid Subject decision is made to Attorney
Prosecution raise the security
level of a document
USC - "United States USDS - United States UTL - Unable toVIDEM - Vietnam WA - With Alias
Court" or "United Department of State Locate Demonstrations
States Code"
WAS - With aliases WFO - Washington WLM - Women's WLMBE - When Letter WRMBE - When Report
Field Office Liberation May Be Expected May Be Expected
Movement

WHERE TO SEND YOUR REQUEST FOR INFORMATION:

Address Listings of F.B.I. Field Offices with telephone numbers:
200 McCarty Avenue Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of
445 Broadway Investigation Investigation
Albany, New York 12207 Suite 300 101 East Sixth Avenue
518) 465-7551 415 Silver Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska
Southwest 99501
Albuquerque, New 907) 258-5322
Mexico 87102
505) 224-2000
Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of
Investigation Investigation Investigation
Suite 400 7142 Ambassador Road Room 1400
2635 Century Parkway, Baltimore, Maryland 2121 8th. Avenue N.
Northeast 21244-2754 Birmingham, Alabama
Atlanta, Georgia 30345 (410) 265-8080 35203
(404) 679-9000 (205) 326-6166
Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of
Investigation Investigation Investigation
Suite 600 One FBI Plaza Suite 900
One Center Plaza Buffalo, New York 400 South Tyron Street
Boston, Massachusetts 14202-2698 Charlotte, North
02108 (716) 856-7800 Carolina 28285
(617) 742-5533 (704) 377-9200
Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of
Investigation Investigation Investigation
Room 905 Room 9000 Room 3005
E.M. Dirksen Federal 550 Main Street Federal Office
Office Building Cincinnati, Ohio Building
219 South Dearborn Street 45202 1240 East 9th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604 (513) 421-4310 Cleveland, Ohio
(312) 431-1333 44199-9912
(216) 522-1400
Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of
Investigation Investigation Investigation
151 Westpark Boulevard Room 300 Federal Office
Columbia, South Carolina 1801 North Lamar Building
29201 Dallas, Texas 75202 Suite 1823
(803) 551-4200 (214) 720-2200 1961 Stout Street
18th. Floor
Denver, Colorado 80294

(303) 629-7171
Federal Bureau of 600 West Mesa Federal Bureau of
Investigation 700 East San Antonio Investigation
26th. Floor Avenue Room 4-230
P. V. McNamara El Paso, Texas Kalanianaole FOB
FOB 477 79912-5533 300 Ala Moana
Michigan Avenue 915) 832-5000 Boulevard
Detroit, Michigan 48226 Honolulu, Hawaii 96850
(313) 965-2323
(808) 521-1411
Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of
Investigation Investigation Investigation
Suite 200 Room 679 Room 1553
2500 East TC Jester FOB 575 North FOB 100 West Capitol
Houston, Texas 77008-1300 Pennsylvania Street Street
(713) 693-5000 Indianapolis, Indiana Jackson, Mississippi
46204 39269
(317) 639-3301 (601) 948-5000
Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of
Investigation Investigation Investigation
Suite 200 1300 Summit Suite 600
7820 Arlington Expressway Kansas City, Missouri John J. Duncan FOB
Jacksonville, Florida 710 Locust Street
32211 64105-1362 Knoxville, Tennessee
(904) 721-1211 (816) 512-8200 37902
(423) 544-0751
Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of
Investigation Investigation Investigation
700 East Charleston Suite 200 Suite 1700 FOB
Boulevard Two Financial Centre 11000 Wilshire
Las Vegas, Nevada 89104 10825 Financial Boulevard
(702) 385-1281 Centre Parkway Los Angeles,
Little Rock, Arkansas California 90024
72211-3552 (310) 477-6565
(501) 221-9100
Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of
Investigation Investigation Investigation
Room 500 Suite 3000 16320 Northwest Second
600 Martin Luther King Jr. Eagle Crest Bldg. Avenue
Place 225 North Humphreys North Miami Beach,
Louisville, Kentucky 40202 Blvd. Florida 33169
Memphis, Tennessee (305) 944-9101
(502) 583-3941 38120-2107
(901) 747-4300
Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of
Investigation Investigation Investigation
Suite 600 Suite 1100 One St. Louis Centre
330 East Kilbourn Avenue 111 Washington Avenue 1 St. Louis Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin South Minneapolis, 3rd. Floor
53202-6627 Minnesota 55401 Mobile, Alabama 36602
(414) 276-4684 (612) 376-3200 (334) 438-3674
Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of 2901 Leon C. Simon
Investigation Investigation Boulevard
1 Gateway Center Room 535, FOB 1250 Poydras Street
22nd Floor 150 Court Street New Orleans, Louisiana
Newark, New Jersey New Haven, 70126-1061
07102-9889 Connecticut 06510 (504) 816-3000
(973) 622-5613 (203) 777-6311
Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of 3301 West Memorial
Investigation Investigation Drive
26 Federal Plaza 150 Corporate 50 Penn Place
23rd. Floor Boulevard Oklahoma City,
New York, New York 10278 Norfolk, Virginia Oklahoma 73134
(212) 384-1000 23502 (405) 290-7770
(757) 455-0100
Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of
Investigation Investigation Investigation
10755 Burt Street 8th. Floor Suite 400
Omaha, Nebraska 68114 William J. Green Jr. 201 East Indianola
(402) 493-8688 FOB Avenue
600 Arch Street Phoenix, Arizona 85012
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19106 (602) 279-5511
(215) 418-4000
Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of
Investigation U.S. Post Investigation Investigation
Office Building Suite 400 111 Greencourt Road
700 Grant Street Crown Plaza Building Richmond, Virginia
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1500 Southwest 1st 23228
15219 Avenue (804) 261-1044
(412) 471-2000 Portland, Oregon
97201
(503) 224-4181
Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of
Investigation Investigation Investigation
4500 Orange Grove Avenue Room 2704 Suite 1200
Sacramento, California L. Douglas Abram 257 Towers Bldg.
95841-4205 Federal Bldg. 257 East, 200 South
(916) 481-9110 2222 Market Street Salt Lake City, Utah
St. Louis, Missouri 84111
63103 (801) 579-1400
(314) 231-4324
Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of
Investigation Investigation Investigation
Suite 200 Federal Office 450 Golden Gate Avenue
U.S. Post Office Building 13th. Floor
Courthouse Bldg. 9797 Aero Drive San Francisco,
615 East Houston Street San Diego, California California 94102-9523
San Antonio, Texas 78205 92123-1800 (415) 553-7400
(210) 225-6741 (619) 565-1255
Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of
Investigation Investigation Investigation
Room 526, U.S. Federal Room 710 Suite 400
Bldg 915 Second Avenue 400 West Monroe Street
150 Carlos Chardon Avenue Seattle, Washington
Hato Rey San Juan, Puerto 98174-1096 Springfield, Illinois
Rico 00918-1716 (206) 622-0460 62704
787) 754-6000 (217) 522-9675
Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of
Investigation Investigation
Room 610, FOB Washington
500 Zack Street Metropolitan Field
Tampa, Florida 33602 Office
(813) 273-4566 601 4th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
20535-0002
(202) 278-2000

INTERNET HOMEPAGES FOR VARIOUS FIELD OFFICES:

Albany, NY Albuquerque, Baltimore, MD Boston, MA Buffalo, NY Charlotte, Chicago, IL
NM NC

Cincinnati, Cleveland, Jackson, Kansas Knoxville,
OH OH Dallas, TX Houston, TX MISS City, MO TN

Little Los Angeles, Louisville, North Miami New
Rock, AR Calif KY Memphis, TN Beach, FL Mobile, AL Orleans, LA

New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Richmond, Sacramento,
NY Norfolk, VA PA PA Portland, OR VA Calif.

St. Louis, Salt Lake San Antonio, Springfield,
MO City, UT TX Seattle, WA IL

For more information on the F.B.I. or to access F.B.I.-related sites on
the World Wide Web, visit these sites:

Federal Bureau of FBI�s Freedom of Overview of the
Investigation Homepage Information Act Federal Bureau of
Reading Room Investigation

Uniform Crime Reports FBI File Request Secret No More!
Form

TRAC-Transactional Records
Access Clearinghouse-FBI
Site