What Do They Know and When Did They Know It:

Obtaining and Understanding Your F.B.I. File

Want to discover what the FBI has on file about you? You might think they have nothing. Then again, you could be wrong.

In addition, there is an explanation of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FOIPA), how the FBI deals with FOIPA requests, and under what circumstances the FBI can refuse to release certain information to you. If you should need to send an appeal letter, an explanation of how to proceed is provided to you for that purpose.

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.

You'll note that the FBI already has established a presence on the World Wide Web, and they have already 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 the like. It makes for very interesting reading.

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 which 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 clipping, physical surveillance information, wiretaps and the like.

--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.

--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.

--The third number is the document number, or serial number. This indicates in which order it was placed in the file.

--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 which 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? If you want to take the time and effort to look, you'll find them, 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 which 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 pertaining to FBI National Academy Applicants.

2. Neutrality Matters.

3. Overthrow or Destruction of the Government.

4. National or Federal Firearms Acts; State Firearms Control Assistance Act; Unlawful Possession or Receipt of Firearms.

5. Income Tax.

6. Interstate Transportation of Strikebreakers.

7. Kidnapping.

8. Migratory Bird Act.

9 Extortion.

10. Red Cross Act.

11. Tax -- except income tax.

12. Narcotics

13. Miscellaneous. National Defense Act. Prostitution

14. Sedition

15. Theft from Interstate Shipment

16. Violation Federal injunction

17. Veterans Administration Matters

18. May Act

19. Censorship Matters

20. Federal Graln Standards Act

21. Food and Drugs

22. National Motor Vehicle Traffic Act

23. Prohibition

24. Profiteering

25. Selective Service

26. Interstate Transportation of Stolen Motor Vehicles; Interstate Transportation of Stolen Aircraft.

27. Patent Matters

28. Copyright Matters

29. Bank Fraud and Embezzlement

30. Interstate Quarantine Law

31. White Slave Traffic Act

32. Identification/Fingerprints

33 Uniform Crime Reporting.

34. Violation of Lacy Act

35. Civil Service Matter

36. Mail Fraud

37. False Claims Against the Government

38. Application for Pardon to Restore Civil Rights

39. Falsely Claiming Citizenship

40. Passports/Visas

41. Explosives

42. Deserters or Harboring Deserters

43. Illegal Wearing of Uniforms; False Advertising; Misuse of Names, Words,

Emblems or Insignia; Illegal Manufacture, Use, Possession, or Sale of

Emblems and Insignia; Counterfeiting Seal of Department or Agency of the

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; Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975.

45. Crime on the High Seas

46. Fraud Against the Government; Federal Aid Road Act; Lead and Zinc Act; Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965; Renegotiation Act, Criminal; Renegotiation Act, Civil; Trade Expansion Act of 1962; Unemployment Compensation Statutes; Economic Opportunity Act.

47. Impersonation.

48. Postal violation other than mail fraud

49. National Bankruptcy Act

50. Involuntary Servitude and Slavery

51. Jury Panel Investigations

52. Theft. Robbery. Embezzlement. Illegal Possession or Destruction of Government Property. Interference With Government Communications

53. Excess Profits on Wool

54. Customs Laws and Smuggling

55. Counterfeiting

56. Election Laws

57. War Labor Dispute Act

58. Bribery or Conflict of Interest

59. World War Adjusted Compensation Act

60. Anti-Trust

61. Treason or Misprision of Treason.

62. Miscellaneous: including Administrative Inquiries; Misconduct Investigations of Officers and Employees of the Department of Justice and Federal Judiciary; Domestic Police Cooperation; Eight Hour-Day Law; Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (Wage and Hours Law); conspiracy.

63. Miscellaneous Non-subversive

64. Foreign Miscellaneous

65. Espionage

66. Administrative matters

67. Personnel matters

68. Alaskan matters

69. Contempt of court

70. Crime on Government Reservation

71. Bills of Lading Act

72. Obstruction of Criminal Investigation

73. Application for Pardon After Completion of Sentence and Application for Executive Clemency

74. Perjury

75. Bondsmen and Sureties

76. Escaped Federal Prisoner; Probation/Parole Violator; Mandatory Release Violator

77. Applicants

78. Illegal Use of Govt Transportation Requests

79. Missing Persons

80. Laboratory Research Matters

81. Gold Hoarding

82. War Risk Insurance

83. Court of Claims

84. Reconstruction Finance Corporation Act

85. Homeowner Loan Corp

86. Federal Lending and Insurance Agencies

87. Fraud by television, radio or wire; Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property

88. Unlawful Flight to Avoid Giving Testimony; Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution, Custody or Confinement

89. Assaulting or Killing a Federal Officer

90. Irregularities in Federal Penal Institutions

91. Bank Burglary, Larceny or Robbery

92. Anti-Racketeering

93. Ascertaining Financial Ability - a person's ability to pay a fine or claim by the U.S. Govt

94. Research Matters

95. Laboratory Cases

96. Alien Applicant

97. Foreign Agents Registration Act

98. Sabotage

99. Plant Survey (Inspections of industrial plants by FBI to prevent them from being victims of espionage)

100. Domestic Security

101. Hatch Act - subversive acts by govt employees

102. Voorhis Act

103. Interstate Transportation of Stolen Cattle

104. Servicemen's Dependents Allowance Act of 1942

105. Foreign Counterintelligence Matters

106. Alien Enemy Control or Escaped Prisoners of War

107. Denaturalization Proceedings

108. Foreign Travel Control

109. Foreign Political Matters

110. Foreign Economic Matters

111. Foreign Social Conditions

112. Foreign Funds

113. Foreign Military and Naval Matters

114. Alien Property Custodian Matters

115. Bail Jumper or Bond Default

116. Dept of Energy Applicant or Employee

117. Dept of Energy - relates to Criminal

118. Intelligence Agency Applicant

119. Federal Regulations of Lobbying Act

120. Federal Tort Claims Act

121. Loyalty of Govt Employees

122. Labor Mgmt Relations Act

123. Special Inquiry - State Dept/Voice of America

124. European Recovery Program

125. Railway Labor Act

126. National Security Resources Board

127. Sensitive Positions in U.S. Govt

128. International Development Program

129. Evacuation Claims

130. Special Inquiry - Armed Forces Security Act

131. Admiralty Matters

132. Special Inquiry - Ofc of Defense Mobilization

133. National Science Foundation Act/Applicant

134. Foreign Counter-Intelligence Assets

135. Protection of Strategic Air Command Bases of the U.S. Air Force

136. American Legion Contact

137. Informants Other than Foreign Counter-Intelligence

138. Loyalty of Employees of the United Nations and Other Public International Organizations

139. Interception of Communications

140. Security of Government Employees

141. False Entries in Records of Interstate Carriers

142. Illegal Use of Railroad Pass

143. Interstate Transportation of Gambling Devices

144. Interstate Transportation of Lottery Tickets

145. Interstate Transportation of Obscene Matter or Broadcasting Obscene Language

146. Interstate Transportation of Prison-Made Goods

147. Department of Housing and Urban Development Matters

148. Interstate Transportation of Fireworks

149. Destruction of Motor Vehicles or Aircraft

150. Harboring of Federal Fugitives (statistics)

151. Agency for International Development; Department of Energy; Civil Service Commission; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; National Science Foundation; Peace Corps; Actions; U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency; World Health Organization; International Labor Organization; U.S. Information Agency

152. Switchblade Knife Act

153. Automobile Information Disclosure Act

154. Interstate Transportation of Unsafe Refrigerators

155. National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958

156. Employee Retirement Income Security Act

157. Civil Unrest

158. Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959

159. Investigative matters = Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959

160. Federal Train Wreck Statute

161. Special Inquiries for White House, Congressional Committee and Other Government Agencies

162. Interstate Gambling Activities

163. Foreign Police Cooperation

164. Crime Aboard Aircraft

165. Interstate Transmission of Wagering Information

166. Interstate Transportation in Aid of Racketeering

167. Destruction of Interstate Property

168. Interstate Transportation of Wagering Paraphernalia

169. Hydraulic Brake Fluid Act

170. Extremist Informants

171. Motor Vehicle Seat Belt Act

172. Sports Bribery

173. Public Accommodations, Civil Rights Act of 1964 Public Facilities, Education, Employment

174. Explosives and Incendiary Devices; Bomb Threats

175. Assaulting the President (or Vice President) of the United States

176. Anti-riot Laws

177. Discrimination in Housing.

178. Interstate Obscene or Harassing Telephone Calls

179. Extortionate Credit Transactions

180. Desecration of the Flag

181.Consumer Credit Protection Act

182. Illegal Gambling Business, Obstruction or Forfeiture

184. Police Killings

185. Protection of Foreign Officials/Guests of the United States

186. Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974

187. Privacy Act of 1974 (criminal)

188. Crime Resistance

189. Equal Credit Opportunity Act

190. Freedom of Information/Privacy Acts

191. False Identity Matters

192. Hobbs Act - Financial Institutions

193. Hobbs Act -Commercial Institutions

194. Hobbs Act - Corruption of Public Officials

195. Hobbs Act - Labor-related

196. Fraud by Wlre

197. Civil Actions or Claims Against the Government

198. Crime on Indian Reservations

199. Foreign Counterintelligence - terrorism

200. Foreign Counterintelligence Matters - China

201. Foreign Counterintelligence Matters -Satellite

202. Foreign Counterintelligence Matters - Cuba

203. Foreign Counterintelligence Matters - all other countries

204. Federal Revenue Sharing

205. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977

206. Fraud Against the Govt - Department of Defense

207. Fraud Against the Govt - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

208. Fraud Against the Government - General Services Admin

209. Fraud Against the Government - Dept. of Health, Education and Welfare

210. Fraud Against 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 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 by They must then 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 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 get the records from its field offices, or has to process a large volume of separate records, or it has 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. Acknoledgment 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 the file is also reviewed by an analyst. 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 which 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. The site promises to add more in the future.

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 which accompanies this report. . This form was prepared by lawyers who are experts in the Freedom of Information Act to guarantee you get all of the document 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 F.B.I. field offices, as well as for the FBI Headquarters. In addition, there is a section which 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 which 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 which are divided into nine categories. However, the FBI cannot withhold the whole document just because there are some parts which are exempt. They must mark out the exempted material 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 which 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

N.W. 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 signedby [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,

Name

Address

City, State, Zip Code

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 news gathering, 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

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 news gathering 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

City, State, Zip Code

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 which 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!

? - Not able to identify if file material belongs with the information requested on a particular individual

AAG - Assistant Attorney General

AD: Assistant Director

Add. Info.-Additional information

ADIC - Assistant Director in Charge

ADM - Administrative

AG- Attorney General

AIRTEL - Urgent internal FBI communication which must be typed the same day it is dictated.

AKA - "Also known as" EXAMPLE: Joe Smith, A.K.A. Joe Q Smith

AL - Albany Field Office

AMSD - Air mail special delivery

AN - Anchorage Field Office

Analysts - work in FOIPA branch and determine what information should be released to a requester.

Anonymous Source: Generally refers to usage of an illegal investigative technique

AO - Auxiliary Office

APB - All Points Bulletin

Applicant Investigation, or Apps - Refers to employees or applicants of federal agencies.

AQ - Albuquerque Field Office

ARL - Pertains to anti-riot laws

ARMS - Automated Records Management System

ASAC - Asst Special Agent in Charge. Second in command of a field office.

Asset - Term used for informants

Assistant Director or Asst D - Title given to the Head of each division of FBI Headquarters, as well as the New York and Los Angeles field offices. Replaced Associate Director in 1979.

Assistant to the Director - High-level FBI official who is also known as the Deputy Associate Director.

Associate Director - Prior to 1979, this position was the second in command of the FBI.

AT - Atlanta Field Office

ATIO - Means, "adjusted time in office." Agents can subtract from time in office on special projects or in conferences.

Att C.F. - Attach case file

AUSA - Assistant U.S. Attorney.

Auxiliary Office or AO - Field offices which offer a supporting role, yet not a primary one, in investigations.

AX - Alexandria Field Office

B. - "the Bureau," or FBI Headquarters

BA - Baltimore Field Office

BB - means "bank burglary"

Bed to Bed FISUR - Morning to night physical surveillance of a person who is under investigation.

BEX - Black extremist

BH - Birmingham Field Office

Big Manual - Known as the official FBI Manual of Rules and Regulations.

BL - Bank larceny

Black Bag Job - Entry by the FBI (without a warrant) to conduct searches, take photographs or to confiscate documents. This does not apply to installation of microphones for recording purposes, however.

Blind Memo - A memo which has no marks to identify that it came from the FBI.

Blue Slip - Voucher used with confidential FBI funds. Blue Slip funds are used to pay FBI informants.

BR Matters - Bank robbery matters

BS - Boston Field Office

BSU - Black Student Union

BT - Butte Field Office

BU - Buffalo Field Office

BUFIL - Files which are kept at the Washington, D.C. FBI Headquarters

BUG - Concealed recording device: microphone.

Bureau - Another name for the FBI

C - can mean "communist," "a criminal manner informant," "confidential,"

or could mean a case is closed.

Capbom - Relates to 1971 bombing of the U.S. Capitol

Case File - the main file

Case Number - Used after the classification number in the FBI file number.

CC - Carbon copy

CCH - Computer Criminal Histories

CE - Charlotte Field Office

CF - Case file

CH - channelized, which means copies have been provided to the correct offices

CG - Chicago Field Office

CGR - Crime on Government Reservation

Change-to Memo - Means a particular document was moved to a file that was more appropriate.

CHICOMS - Chinese Communists

Chief Clerk - Clerk whose responsibility is to open, index and provide documents to the correct FBI employee.

CI - Confidential Informant

or

CI - Cincinnati Field Office

or

CI - Communist Index

CIA - Central Intelligence Agency

CIC - Counter Intelligence Corp

CINAL - Current Intelligence Analyses, which are made up of information on domestic intelligence.

CIP - Counterintelligence Program

CL - Can mean "closed" or "civil litigation."

CMC - Communist-Pro-Chinese

CMS - Communist-Pro-Soviet

CNDI - Confidential National Defense Informant

CO - Columbia Field Office

COGOG - Communists In Government Groups

COINTELPRO - Counterintelligence Program supposedly discontinued in 1971.

Comfugs - Communist fugitives

COMINFIL - Communist Infiltration

COMINT - Communications Intelligence

Comintern - Communist International

COMPIC -Communist Picture Album

Comsab - Communist sabotage

Consensual Monitoring - Monitoring a conversation through electronic means with the consent of one of the people involved

CONUS - Continental United States

Cover - To conceal one's dealings with the FBI or other agency, such as the CIA

CP-USA - Communist Party U.S.A.

CRC-PO - Clandestine Radio Communications, Potential Operators

CRS - Central Records System

CRU - Classification Review Unit

CRV - Conditional Release Violator

CS - Confidential Source

CSC - Civil Service Commission

CTNF - Computerized Telephone Number File

CV - Cleveland Field Office

DAPLI - Departmental Applicants, Professional Staff

DCGO - Direct Coast Guard Office

DCI - Director of Central Intelligence

DD-553 - Defense Department Form

DE - Detroit Field Office

DEA - Drug Enforcement Administration

Dead drop - A place for dropping off and picking up spy information

Detcom - Detention of Communists

DID - Domestic Intelligence Division

DIO - Duty Intelligence Officer

DIS - Defense Investigative Service

DL - Dallas Field Office

DN - Denver Field Office

DOB - Date of Birth

DOD - Department of Defense

DOE - Department of Energy

DOJ - Department of Justice

"Do Not File" - Pertains to records intentionally kept out of the main records system

Downgrade - To lower the level of classification of a file.

DS - Pertains to files which have been destroyed

Electronic Surveillance - Includes monitoring by means of wiretapping or by microphone

ELSUR - Electronic surveillance

EP - El Paso Field Office

Esp-R - Russian espionage

Esp. Sec. - Espionage Section

Established Sources - Persons who already supply information to the Bureau

Exp. Proc. - Expedite Processing

FAG - Fraud Against Government

FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation

FBI HQ - Federal Bureau of Investigation Headquarters

FBW - Fraud by Wire

FCI - Foreign Counterintelligence

FGJ - Federal Grand Jury

FHD - Federal House of Detention

FINDER - Automated fingerprint scanner machine used at FBI HQ

FISUR - Physically watching subjects, such as a demonstration

Five - Division Five, otherwise known as Intelligence Division

FNU - First Name Unknown

FO - Field Office

FOIA - Freedom of Information Act

FOIPA - Freedom of Information/Privacy Act

FPC - Fingerprint classification

FRN - Foreign Affiliation

FUDE - Fugitive or Deserter

Fug - Fugitive

GAO - General Accounting Office

GJ - Grand Jury

Glove - Another word for covered by surveillance

G-Men - FBI Agents

HCUA - House Committee on Un-American Activities

Hit - When information is found in the NCIC (National Crime Information Computer) Program

HN - Honolulu Field Office

HO - Houston Field Office

HQ - Federal Bureau of Investigation Headquarters

I - Identical

IA - Informative Asset

IACP - International Association of Chiefs of Police

IC - Incoming or Investigative Clerk

Illegals - Persons from foreign countries who enter the U.S. illegally

Info - Information

Informant or INFT - Individual who provides information to the FBI

INS - Immigration and Naturalization Service

Inspector - Official in the FBI whose job it is to conduct yearly inspections on document handling in Field Offices

Interpol - International Criminal Police Organization

INV - Investigative

IOC - Interception of Communications

IP - Indianapolis Field Office

IPAL - Information and Privacy Acts Litigation

IRS - Internal Revenue Service

IS - Internal Security

IS-C - Internal Security - Communist

ISINT - Israeli Intelligence Service

ISS - Indices Search Slip

ITAR - Interstate Transportation in Aid of Racketeering

ITOM - Interstate Transportation of Obscene Matter

ITSMV - Interstate Transportation of Stolen Motor Vehicles

ITSP - Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property

JCS - Joint Chiefs of Staff

JK - Jacksonville Field Office

JN - Jackson Field Office

K-(followed by a number) - Stands for Laboratory specimen ID number

KBE - Key Black Extremist

KC - Kansas City Field Office

KGB - Russian Committee for State Security - Russian Intelligence Agency

KX - Knoxville Field Office

LA - Los Angeles Field Office

LCN - La Cosa Nostra - the Mafia, or organized crime

Legat - Legal attache

LNU - Last Name Unknown

LR - Little Rock Field Office

LRC - Last Relevant Communication

LS - Louisville Field Office

LV - Las Vegas Field Office

Mail Intercept - Opening mail

MC - Mexico City Legal Attache

ME - Memphis Field Office

MF - Main File

MI - Mis-indexed

MI-5 - British Security Service; similar to FBI

MI-t - British Intelligence Service; similar to CIA

MID - Military Intelligence Division

MISUR - Surveillance conducted by microphones

MM - Miami Field Office

MO - Mobile Field Office

MOI - Manual of Instructions

MP - Minneapolis Field Office

MPD - Metropolitan Police Department

MS - Denotes a document is missing

MURKIN - Files pertaining to the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

NCIC - National Crime Information Computer

NCIC Cleared - Fugitive is in custody

ND - Naval District

NF - Norfolk Field Office

NH - New Haven Field Office

NIS - Naval Investigative Service

NK - Newark Field Office

NO - New Orleans Field Office

NP - Not Pertinent

NPC - Newspaper Clippings

NR - No Record

NSA - National Security Agency

NY - New York Field Office

O & C - Official and Confidential

OC - Out of the Country

or

OC - Oklahoma City Field Office

or

OC - Organized Crime

OO - Office of Origin

OG - Outgoing phone call

OM - Omaha Field Office

1A Envelope - Envelopes which usually contain physical evidence

OOJ - Obstruction of Justice

ORI - Originating Agency

P - Pending

P* - Pending, but inactive

P & C - Personal and Confidential

P & P - Pamphlets and Publications

PCI - Potential Crime Informant

Pct - Precinct

PF - Personal File

PG - Pittsburgh Field Office

Ph - Phonetic spelling

PH - Philadelphia Field Office

PHS - Personal History Statement

POB - Place of Birth

PR - Prosecutive Report

PRI - Potential Racial Informant

PRN - Puerto Rican Nationalist

PROSAB - Protection of Strategic Air Command Bases of U.S. Air Force

Protect - To keep a person's identity a secret

PSI - Potential Security Informant

PV - Parole Violator

PX - Phoenix Field Office

RA - Resident Agent or Resident Agency

RCMP - Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Relet - Referring to letter ....

Req Rec'd - Request has been received

REV - Revolutionary

RM - Registered Mail

R/S - Routing Slip

RUC - Referred Upon Completion

RWBS - Report Will Be Submitted

S - Secret; data that is deemed to cause damage to national security if released

SA - Special Agent

or

SA - San Antonio Field Office

SAC - Special Agent in Charge

S-B - Soviet Bloc

SD - San Diego Field Office

SE - Special Employee of the FBI

or

SE - Seattle Field Office

Sec - Section (usually followed by a number)

See Ref - See Reference

Sensitive - Information that, if exposed, could cause embarrassment

SF - San Francisco Field Office

SI - Security Informant

or

SI - Springfield Field Office

SJ - San Juan Field Office

SL - St. Louis Field Office

Source - A person who provides information to the FBI

SS - Search Slip

SSA - Selective Service Act

SSN - Selective Service Number

Stats - Statistics

SU - Salt Lake City Field Office

SUB or Subj - Subject

Sulet - Submit Letter

SUM - Summary

SUPV - Supervisor

SV - Savannah Field Office

SWAT - Special Weapons and Tactics Team

T-(followed by a number) - Denotes a confidential source

TEPCI - Top Echelon Potential Criminal Informant

TESUR - Surveillance conducted via telephone

TFIS - Theft From Interstate Shipment

TGP - Theft of Government Property

TIO - Time in Office

TOPLEV - Top Level

TP - Tampa Field Office

TS - Top Secret. Material of this nature has been determined to cause extreme damage to national security

Turn - To become an FBI informant

U - Unavailable Reference

or

U - Unclassified

UACB - Unless Advised to Contrary by the Bureau

UCR - Uniform Crime Reports

UFAC - Unlawful Flight to Avoid Confinement

UFAP - Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution

UNSUB - Unknown Subject

Upgrade - When a decision is made to raise the security level of a document

USA - United States Attorney

USC - United States Court

or

USC - United States Code

USDS - United States Department of State

UTL - Unable to Locate

VIDEM - Vietnam Demonstrations

WA - With Alias

WAS - With aliases

WFO - Washington Field Office

WLM - Women's Liberation Movement

WLMBE - When Letter May Be Expected

WRMBE - When Report May Be Expected

WHERE TO SEND YOUR REQUEST FOR INFORMATION:

Address Listings of F.B.I. Field Offices with telephone numbers:

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 502, James T. Foley Bldg.

445 Broadway

Albany, New York 12207

(518) 465-7551

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 300

415 Silver Avenue, Southwest

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102

(505) 224-2000

Federal Bureau of Investigation

101 East Sixth Avenue

Anchorage, Alaska 99501

(907) 258-5322

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 400

2635 Century Parkway, Northeast

Atlanta, Georgia 30345

(404) 679-9000

Federal Bureau of Investigation

7142 Ambassador Road

Baltimore, Maryland 21244-2754

(410) 265-8080

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Room 1400

2121 8th. Avenue N.

Birmingham, Alabama 35203

(205) 326-6166

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 600

One Center Plaza

Boston, Massachusetts 02108

(617) 742-5533

Federal Bureau of Investigation

One FBI Plaza

Buffalo, New York 14202-2698

(716) 856-7800

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 900

400 South Tyron Street

Charlotte, North Carolina 28285

(704) 377-9200

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Room 905

E.M. Dirksen Federal Office Building

219 South Dearborn Street

Chicago, Illinois 60604

(312) 431-1333

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Room 9000

550 Main Street

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

(513) 421-4310

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Room 3005

Federal Office Building

1240 East 9th Street

Cleveland, Ohio 44199-9912

(216) 522-1400

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Room 1357

1835 Assembly Street

Columbia, South Carolina 29201

(803) 254-3011

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Room 300

1801 North Lamar

Dallas, Texas 75202

(214) 720-2200

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Federal Office Building

Suite 1823

1961 Stout Street

18th. Floor

Denver, Colorado 80294

(303) 629-7171

Federal Bureau of Investigation

26th. Floor

P. V. McNamara

FOB 477

Michigan Avenue

Detroit, Michigan 48226

(313) 965-2323

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite C-600

700 East San Antonio Avenue

El Paso, Texas 79901-7020

(915) 533-7451

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Room 4-230

Kalanianaole FOB

300 Ala Moana Boulevard

Honolulu, Hawaii 96850

(808) 521-1411

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 200

2500 East TC Jester

Houston, Texas 77008-1300

(713) 693-5000

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Room 679

FOB 575 North Pennsylvania Street

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

(317) 639-3301

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Room 1553

FOB 100 West Capitol Street

Jackson, Mississippi 39269

(601) 948-5000

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 200

7820 Arlington Expressway

Jacksonville, Florida 32211

(904) 721-1211

Federal Bureau of Investigation

1300 Summit

Kansas City, Missouri

64105-1362

(816) 512-8200

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 600

John J. Duncan FOB

710 Locust Street

Knoxville, Tennessee 37902

(423) 544-0751

Federal Bureau of Investigation

700 East Charleston Boulevard

Las Vegas, Nevada 89104

(702) 385-1281

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 200

Two Financial Centre

10825 Financial Centre Parkway

Little Rock, Arkansas 72211-3552

(501) 221-9100

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 1700 FOB

11000 Wilshire Boulevard

Los Angeles, California 90024

(310) 477-6565

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Room 500

600 Martin Luther King Jr. Place

Louisville, Kentucky 40202

(502) 583-3941

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 3000

Eagle Crest Bldg.

225 North Humphreys Blvd.

Memphis, Tennessee 38120-2107

(901) 747-4300

Federal Bureau of Investigation

16320 Northwest Second Avenue

North Miami Beach, Florida 33169

(305) 944-9101

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 600

330 East Kilbourn Avenue

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-6627

(414) 276-4684

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 1100

111 Washington Avenue

South Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401

(612) 376-3200

Federal Bureau of Investigation

One St. Louis Centre

1 St. Louis Street

3rd. Floor

Mobile, Alabama 36602

(334) 438-3674

Federal Bureau of Investigation

1 Gateway Center

22nd Floor

Newark, New Jersey 07102-9889

(973) 622-5613

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Room 535, FOB

150 Court Street

New Haven, Connecticut 06510

(203) 777-6311

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 2200

1250 Poydras Street

New Orleans, Louisiana 70113-1829

(504) 522-4671

Federal Bureau of Investigation

26 Federal Plaza

23rd. Floor

New York, New York 10278

(212) 384-1000

Federal Bureau of Investigation

150 Corporate Boulevard

Norfolk, Virginia 23502

(757) 455-0100

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 1600

50 Penn Place

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118

(405) 290-7770

Federal Bureau of Investigation

10755 Burt Street

Omaha, Nebraska 68114

(402) 493-8688

Federal Bureau of Investigation

8th. Floor

William J. Green Jr. FOB

600 Arch Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106

(215) 418-4000

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 400

201 East Indianola Avenue

Phoenix, Arizona 85012

(602) 279-5511

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 300

U.S. Post Office Building

700 Grant Street

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219

(412) 471-2000

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 400

Crown Plaza Building

1500 Southwest 1st Avenue

Portland, Oregon 97201

(503) 224-4181

Federal Bureau of Investigation

111 Greencourt Road

Richmond, Virginia 23228

(804) 261-1044

Federal Bureau of Investigation

4500 Orange Grove Avenue

Sacramento, California 95841-4205

(916) 481-9110

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Room 2704

L. Douglas Abram Federal Bldg.

2222 Market Street

St. Louis, Missouri 63103

(314) 589-2500

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 1200

257 Towers Bldg

257 East, 200 South

Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

(801) 579-1400

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 200

U.S. Post Office Courthouse Bldg.

615 East Houston Street

San Antonio, Texas 78205

(210) 225-6741

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Federal Office Building

9797 Aero Drive

San Diego, California 92123-1800

(619) 565-1255

Federal Bureau of Investigation

450 Golden Gate Avenue

13th. Floor

San Francisco, California 94102-9523

(415) 553-7400

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Room 526, U.S. Federal Bldg

150 Carlos Chardon Avenue

Hato Rey San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918-1716

(787) 754-6000

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Room 710

915 Second Avenue

Seattle, Washington 98174-1096

(206) 622-0460

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Suite 400

400 West Monroe Street

Springfield, Illinois 62704

(217) 522-9675

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Room 610, FOB

500 Zack Street

Tampa, Florida 33602

(813) 273-4566

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Washington Metropolitan Field Office

601 4th Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20535-0002

(202) 278-2000

INTERNET HOMEPAGES FOR VARIOUS FIELD OFFICES:

Albany, NY http://www.fbi.gov/fo/alfo/alfohome.htm

Albuquerque, NM http://www.fbi.gov/fo/aq/aqhome.htm

Baltimore, MD http://www.fbi.gov/fo/balt/index.html

Boston, MA http://www.fbi.gov/fo/boston/Boston.html

Buffalo, NY http://www.fbi.gov/fo/bffo/bffohome.htm

Charlotte, NC http://www.fbi.gov/fo/charlotte/ce_home.htm

Chicago, IL http://www.fbi.gov/fo/chgo/index.html

Cincinnati, OH http://www.fbi.gov/fo/ci/index.htm

Cleveland, OH http://www.fbi.gov/fo/cleveland/clevelan1.htm

Dallas, TX http://www.fbi.gov/fo/dl/dallas.htm

Houston, TX http://www.fbi.gov/fo/ho/houston.htm

Jackson, MISS http://www.fbi.gov/fo/jackson/jackson.htm

Kansas City, MO http://www.fbi.gov/fo/kc/kcpage.htm

Knoxville, TN http://www.fbi.gov/fo/kx/knoxhome.htm

Little Rock, AR http://www.fbi.gov/fo/lr/main.htm

Los Angeles, Calif. http://www.fbi.gov/fo/la/lahome.htm

Louisville, KY http://www.fbi.gov/fo/louisville/Fbilou.htm

Memphis, TN http://www.fbi.gov/fo/memphis/Default.htm

North Miami Beach, FL http://www.fbi.gov/fo/mb/index.htm

Mobile, AL http://www.fbi.gov/fo/mobile/home.htm

New Orleans, LA http://www.fbi.gov/fo/neworlean/index.htm

New York, NY http://www.fbi.gov/fo/nyfo/nyfohome.htm

Norfolk, VA http://www.fbi.gov/fo/norfolk/home.htm

Philadelphia, PA http://www.fbi.gov/fo/ph/phila1a.htm

Pittsburgh, PA http://www.fbi.gov/fo/pt/pitmain.htm

Portland, OR http://www.fbi.gov/fo/pd/portlnd.htm

Richmond, VA http://www.fbi.gov/fo/richmond/default.htm

Sacramento, Calif. http://www.fbi.gov/fo/sc/fbisc.htm

St. Louis, MO http://www.fbi.gov/fo/sl/home.htm

Salt Lake City, UT http://www.fbi.gov/fo/saltlake/index.htm

San Antonio, TX http://www.fbi.gov/fo/sanant/sanant.htm

Seattle, WA http://www.fbi.gov/fo/seattle/Default.htm

Springfield, IL http://www.fbi.gov/fo/si/spfldfbi.htmhttp://www.fbi.gov/fo/kc/kcpage.htm

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 Investigation Homepage http://www.fbi.gov/homepage.htm

FBI's Freedom of Information Act Reading Room http://www.fbi.gov/foipa/main.htm

Overview of the Federal Bureau of Investigation http://www.fbi.gov/over/over.htm

Federal Bureau of Investigation: Special Operations and Response Units http://www.specialoperations.com/fbi.htmlhttp://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Neil_Grant/x-files.htm

FBI File Request Form http://www.glr.com/fbiform.txt

Secret No More! http://www.crunch.com/01secret/01secret.htm

TRAC -- Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse -- FBI Site http://trac.syr.edu/tracfbi/fbihome.html