NCJ Number
78752
Date Published
1980
Length
19 pages
Annotation
The history and major investigative themes of the FBI are reviewed, and the agency's new directions are discussed.
Abstract
The FBI was founded in July 1908 to serve as the investigative arm of the Department of Justice. The organization and its responsibilities grew steadily in succeeding years. In 1921, J. Edgar Hoover became assistant director of the FBI and was named director 3 years later. Hoover was instrumental in professionalizing and upgrading the special agent position. In addition, efforts were made to expand the Bureau's channels of cooperation with other law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. In July 1924, the Identification Division was established at the Bureau's headquarters to serve as a national repository for fingerprints and related identifying data. The FBI laboratory was founded in 1932 and began conducting examinations of evidence in criminal cases for local and State law enforcement as well as Federal cases. The founding of the FBI National Academy in 1935 provided advanced courses of instruction to career members of the law enforcement profession. Periods in which the FBI played a significant role in the Nation's history were in the 1930's in combatting gangsterism, immediately prior to and during World War II when threats to the Nation's internal security were high, and after World War II when Russian espionage reached a new intensity. The FBI has also been instrumental in efforts to combat organized crime and white-collar crime. Future directions of the FBI will emphasize the increasing use of technology to aid all levels of law enforcement in criminal investigations. Photographic illustrations are provided.