FBI "Involved" in Investigating Deaths of 4 ID. Students, Why? (Again)
Congress passed a law that gave the FBI the framework to assist local LE with murders of 4 or more persons. The law defines serial killers (for this purpose,) but this publication from the FBI explains it in great detail.
www.fbi.gov
IOW, any time there is a murder of more than 4 people, the fbi can get involved.
@Helechawagirl Thanks for link to that fbi.com page* which I just skimmed, planning to read and reread it. Good info, but the title itself refers to SERIAL MURDERS, and table of contents discusses serial, NOT MASS murders like this tragic killing of four people at same time and place.
Imo the ^ stmt that “IOW, any time there is a murder of more than 4 people, the fbi can get involved,” may be overly broad. And what is “involved?” Well, does not mean FBI has authority to elbow its way into another LE agency’s case and “take over everything,” not that OP said or implied that, but it’s a misinterp. sometimes made.
FBI’s mandate** is largely investigation of crimes under FEDERAL STATUTES, such as Terrorism, Counterintelligence, Cyber Crime, Public Corruption, Civil Rights, Organized Crime, White Collar Crime, Weapons of Mass Destruction.*** And sometimes assists other LE agencies in crimes under STATE STATUTES per below.
IIUC, regardless of whether a case relates to serial killer or mass killer under state stautes, when an LE agency, investigating a crime under STATE LAW, REQUESTS assistance from FBI, a fed. statute authorizes (does not mandate) FBI to provide support services to that other agency.
In its homicide investigation under STATE LAW, Moscow PD REQUESTED FBI’s assistance; FBI is providing to the Moscow PD, SUPPORT SERVICES, i.e., “Science and Lab Resources“**** which may include Biometrics and, Scientific Analysis, Forensics.
Imo jmo moo. No more hairsplitting this a.m. [LOL, wink]
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Serial Murder | Federal Bureau of Investigation SERIAL murders
** “The FBI's mandate is established in Title 28 of the United States Code (U.S. Code), Section 533, which authorizes the Attorney General to "appoint officials to detect and prosecute crimes against the United States."[65] Other federal statutes give the FBI the authority and responsibility to investigate specific crimes.”
Federal Bureau of Investigation - Wikipedia
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What We Investigate | Federal Bureau of Investigation Lists (some) FED. crimes FBI investigates.
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Science and Lab Resources — LE Lists support services which FBI may provide to state or local LE agencies investigating non-FED crimes.