Review of the United States Attorney's Offices' Use of Intelligence Research Specialists

摘要

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reviewed the United States Attorneys' Offices' (USAO) use of the 93 intelligence research specialist positions authorized by Congress in fiscal year (FY) 2002. Specifically, we assessed whether the positions were used effectively to support the USAOs' and the Department of Justice's (Department) overall anti-terrorism efforts by collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information and intelligence. The Department's Strategic Plan states that a priority of the Department is to protect the United States against terrorism by preventing, disrupting, and defeating terrorist operations before they occur. According to the Strategic Plan, the Department will seek to develop and implement the full range of resources available to investigate terrorist incidents and will vigorously prosecute those who have committed, or intend to commit, terrorist acts in the United States. After September 11, 2001, the Attorney General directed each USAO to establish an Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council (ATAC) and later directed each USAO to hire an intelligence research specialist to assist the ATAC. According to the Attorney General, each ATAC will coordinate the implementation of an operational plan to guide its district in preventing terrorism; transmit information about terrorism and terrorist activities between federal and local agencies; and coordinate its district's response to terrorism incidents. The intelligence research specialist position is designed to assist the ATAC by coordinating anti-terrorist activities, analyzing the relevance and reliability of threat information and investigative leads, and ensuring that cases with terrorism connections are identified for prosecution.