FBI FBI Written Communication and Report Writing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'lead' in FBI investigative terminology?
- A confirmed piece of evidence
- A task assigned to an agent or office to follow up on a specific piece of information (Correct answer)
- A tip from a confidential source
- A court-authorized surveillance target
Correct answer: A task assigned to an agent or office to follow up on a specific piece of information
A lead is a specific action item assigned within the Sentinel case management system for an agent or office to follow up on, ensuring accountability in complex investigations.
Question 2: What is the purpose of the FBI's '1A' section in a case file?
- Storing classified intelligence documents
- Housing original evidence and related documents as part of the permanent case record (Correct answer)
- Recording supervisor approvals for investigative steps
- Tracking the chain of custody for physical evidence
Correct answer: Housing original evidence and related documents as part of the permanent case record
The 1A section of the FBI case file contains original documents, subpoena returns, search warrant materials, and other records that form the permanent evidentiary foundation of the case.
Question 3: In FBI written communications, what does the term 'synopsis' refer to?
- A brief summary paragraph at the top of an EC or case document describing its purpose (Correct answer)
- A classified summary of all investigative findings
- A list of all leads opened in a case
- A legal conclusion section written by the AUSA
Correct answer: A brief summary paragraph at the top of an EC or case document describing its purpose
The synopsis is a brief, plain-language summary at the beginning of an FBI document — typically one to three sentences — that tells the reader why the document was written and what action is requested.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes why FBI agents should avoid using passive voice in investigative reports?
- Passive voice is grammatically incorrect in government writing
- Passive voice obscures who performed an action, which is critical for legal accountability (Correct answer)
- Passive voice makes documents longer and harder to file
- Active voice is required by the FBI Style Guide for all formal communications
Correct answer: Passive voice obscures who performed an action, which is critical for legal accountability
In investigative reports, passive voice obscures the actor — 'the car was searched' vs. 'Agent Smith searched the car' — which is legally significant for establishing probable cause and accountability.
Question 5: What is a 'closing communication' in an FBI case file?
- A final email to the U.S. Attorney confirming charges were filed
- An EC or LHM documenting the basis for closing an investigation and summarizing its results (Correct answer)
- A memo to HR closing an agent's assignment to a case
- A FISA order termination notice
Correct answer: An EC or LHM documenting the basis for closing an investigation and summarizing its results
A closing EC or LHM (Letterhead Memorandum) formally documents why a case is being closed — whether due to prosecution, declination, or exhaustion of investigative leads — and summarizes the investigation's outcome.
Question 6: What is a 'Letterhead Memorandum' (LHM) and when is it typically used by FBI agents?
- An internal memo between supervisors in the same field office
- A formal FBI document on official letterhead used to communicate with outside agencies or prosecutors (Correct answer)
- A classified document transmitted only to FBI Headquarters
- A court filing prepared by FBI legal counsel
Correct answer: A formal FBI document on official letterhead used to communicate with outside agencies or prosecutors
An LHM is a formal document on official FBI letterhead used to communicate investigative findings or requests to outside entities such as prosecutors, other agencies, or foreign partners.
FBI FBI Written Communication and Report Writing 2
What is a 'lead' in FBI investigative terminology?