How to Read Your FBI File
U.S. citizens are permitted to request and obtain copies of their own FBI files through the Freedom of Information Act. Because of this, obtaining your FBI file has become surprisingly easy in recent years. Once you have a copy in hand, however, you will likely discover the difficulty in trying to decipher what your file actually says. Learning how to read your FBI file can help you understand exactly what information it contains and how it is used by the Bureau.
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Instructions
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Locate and examine the correlation summary contained in your FBI file, typically found somewhere near the beginning. This document contains a chronological digest of the documents and information enclosed within your FBI file. Your file's correlation summary can be a very helpful resource, and aid you in locating specific documents, determining what information redacted or confusing documents contain, and give you a general idea of exactly what is contained within your FBI file.
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Check for any black lines, white space, or other missing information. There is a good chance your FBI file contains a great deal of blanks and spaces in places that appear to have previously contained information. This is a result of the FBI's redaction policy: any confidential or potentially restricted information is removed from your FBI file prior to distribution. Unfortunately, there is no way to recover this information, as it is explicitly excluded from public record under the Freedom of Information Act.
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Review the FBI's classification system, which is used to categorize the records contained within an individual file. The classification system is comprised of three-digit numbers up to 900, although some numbers are used for classified records and will not appear in your file. Compare the classification number listed at the top of each page in your pages to the list to determine for what the record is used. The entire list of classification numbers and their corresponding meanings can be requested from the FBI, or located online.
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Review a list of the FBI's commonly used forms, which are often used by the bureau when recording data. Each FBI form name is listed in the upper, right-hand side of the document. The name corresponds to a specific type of form, which can help you decipher what information it contains. There are approximately half a dozen different declassified form types, and over a hundred form names. You can obtain a list of form names online, and compare the documents in your FBI file against this list.
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Review definitions for popular abbreviations used by the FBI. As with most law enforcement and governmental agencies, the Bureau has developed their own set of abbreviations and acronyms for common words and terms. Without definitions, your FBI file can be nearly impossible to understand. You can find a comprehensive list of FBI abbreviations and their corresponding meanings online.
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