The FBI Decides Who Makes Their '10 Most Wanted' List
Start writing a post
Entertainment

How The FBI Decides Who Makes Their Notorious '10 Most Wanted' List

A closer look into how the FBI chooses the criminals who make the list for the ten most wanted individuals.

42
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Fbi_most_wanted_fugitives.jpg
Wikimedia

The FBI most wanted list is comprised of ten individuals who have met the criteria for being the "toughest guys that the Bureau want to capture" (a reporter for the International News Service questioned with this previous phrase).

The list was created on March 14th, 1950 under the former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover in order to receive help from the public to catch the listed wanted criminals.

According to the FBI's Most Wanted FAQ (frequently asked questions) page, The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) at FBI Headquarters calls 56 field offices for their candidates for the list.

These nominees are taken into consideration by Special Agents in the CID and the Office of Public Affairs. After being selected, these candidates are forwarded to the FBI Executive Management for the final approval.

There are only two guidelines that the proposed candidates would need to follow. One being that the referred individual must have an extensive record of serious crimes and have to be considered a dangerous individual to society. Another rule is that the fugitive can be apprehended with the help of nationwide publicity.

Currently, the list includes individuals that were charged for murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and fleeing prosecution. However, throughout the years of the existence of this list, the criminal activity that met the criteria has very much changed.

In the 1950s, the list was mostly comprised of bank robbers, car thieves, and burglars. Then in the 1960s, it was the individuals who were wanted for destruction of Government property, sabotage, and kidnappings. After the 1970s, the FBI began putting emphasis on the criminals involved in organized crime and terrorism.

Ever since the creation of this list, 162 of the 521 fugitives that have been on the list were apprehended by the FBI due to public assistance and hopefully, even more, are found with the publication of this list.

Related Articles Around the Web
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

47882
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

30356
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

954365
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

172859
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments