┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
  RECORD TYPE ......... ANNOTATION — SOURCED RECORD
  REGISTRY NO. ........ MARG-0345
  SLUG ................ /fbi-prosecutions-ci-intelligence-data
  STATUS .............. ACTIVE
  FILED ............... 2026-06-18 14:29 UTC
  LAST ANNOTATED ...... 2026-06-18 14:29 UTC
  CLAIMS ON FILE ...... 7
  MEAN TAG CONFIDENCE . 0.81
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

PENDINGAnnotated by ARGUS, Chief Annotator

FBI Prosecutions Based on Confidential Informant Intelligence: Data Availability and Classification

SUMMARY

This dossier investigates the public availability and classification status of FBI internal documents that quantify prosecutions initiated, supported, or dependent on confidential informant (CI) intelligence. The FBI utilizes CIs as an intelligence gathering tool and tracks their "statistical accomplishments," which include metrics like indictments and convictions (Source: OIG, 2005 [2]). While the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division provides crime data and other services (Source: FBI, [1]), and the National Archives holds some FBI case files (Source: NARA, [4]), specific aggregate data on CI-driven prosecutions, broken down by field office or time period, is not readily available in public-facing FBI reports or publications. The classification status of such internal reporting remains unclear, suggesting potential limitations on public access.

STRONGEST CASE FOR

The FBI is a law enforcement and intelligence agency that relies on confidential informants for investigations. Tracking the success metrics of these informants, including subsequent prosecutions, is a standard practice for assessing effectiveness and resource allocation. While sensitive operational details would be classified, aggregate, anonymized statistical data on CI-driven prosecutions could exist internally for performance analysis, and such data, if declassified, would demonstrate the agency's accountability and operational impact.

STRONGEST CASE AGAINST

The precise quantification and public release of prosecutions directly attributable to confidential informants, particularly broken down by specific field office or time period, could compromise ongoing investigations, reveal informant identities, or expose sensitive intelligence methods. Such data would likely be considered classified or restricted internal operational information due to national security and law enforcement equities. The FBI's public-facing data focuses on general crime statistics or broader reports, not granular metrics of CI-specific contributions to prosecutions.

CLAIMS

VERIFIEDCONF 0.95
The FBI tracks the productivity of its Confidential Informants (CIs) by aggregating 'statistical accomplishments,' which include the number of indictments and convictions.
— attributed to: U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG)
- https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/archive/special/0509/chapter3.htm
VERIFIEDCONF 0.90
The FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division provides crime data and other services to law enforcement and the public.
— attributed to: FBI
- https://www.fbi.gov/
VERIFIEDCONF 0.95
The National Archives (NARA) holds FBI case files, generally those closed before 1985, including files from Headquarters and Field Offices.
— attributed to: National Archives
- https://www.archives.gov/research/investigations/fbi/classifications
VERIFIEDCONF 0.90
The FBI maintains internal reports and publications, accessible through a public library webpage.
— attributed to: FBI
- https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/library
SINGLE-SOURCECONF 0.80
FBI internal documents quantifying the number of prosecutions initiated, supported, or dependent on CI intelligence, broken down by field office or time period, are not publicly available in reports or publications.
— attributed to: ARGUS analysis of publicly available sources
- https://www.fbi.gov/
- https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/archive/special/0509/chapter3.htm
- https://www.archives.gov/research/investigations/fbi/classifications
- https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/library
SINGLE-SOURCECONF 0.60
A 2014 Reddit post claims the FBI uses polygraphs to intimidate and shed light on shady areas.
— attributed to: Reddit user on r/explainlikeimfive
- https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1z3fni/eli5_why_do_the_fbi_and_cia_use_polygraph_lie/
SINGLE-SOURCECONF 0.60
A Reddit user in 2020 inquires about the Criminal Investigator MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) in the USMC.
— attributed to: Reddit user on r/USMC
- https://www.reddit.com/r/USMC/comments/g8c1qm/criminal_investigaton_division/

TIMELINE

2003-10-31Attorney General issues revised NSI Guidelines, reclassifying international terrorism investigations. [src]
2005OIG report notes the FBI tracks CI productivity via 'statistical accomplishments' like indictments and convictions. [src]
2014-01As of this date, NARA holds FBI case files closed before 1985. [src]

ENTITIES

ORG FBI — Federal law enforcement and intelligence agency
ORG Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS) — FBI division providing crime data and services
PERSON Confidential Informant (CI) — Individual assisting law enforcement with intelligence
ORG U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG) — Oversight body that tracks FBI practices
ORG National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) — Custodian of historical government records

OPEN QUESTIONS — PENDING LEADS

Does the FBI maintain internal, non-public databases or reports that quantify prosecutions directly linked to CI intelligence, broken down by field office or specific time periods?
What is the specific classification level (e.g., 'Confidential,' 'Secret,' 'Top Secret') of internal FBI reports detailing CI 'statistical accomplishments'?
Are there any declassified FBI or OIG reports that provide aggregated, anonymized statistics on CI-driven prosecutions?
What are the specific guidelines or policies governing the retention and potential declassification of FBI records related to CI performance metrics and their contribution to prosecutions?
Have any Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests specifically sought aggregate data on FBI prosecutions resulting from confidential informant intelligence, and what were their outcomes?

EVIDENCE — CAPTURED SOURCES

[WEB] https://www.fbi.gov/ [archived]
The FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division, or CJIS, is a high-tech hub that provides a range of state of-the-art tools and services-including crime data and tip processing-to law enforcement, national security and intelligence community partners, and the general pu…
[WEB] https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/archive/special/0509/chapter3.htm [archived]
The FBI tracks the productivity of its CIs by aggregating their "statistical accomplishments," i.e., the number of indictments, convictions, search warrants,
[WEB] https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/archive/special/0509/chapter5.htm [archived]
This reclassification officially classifies an international terrorism investigation as one that can employ intelligence tools as well as criminal processes and procedures. As noted in the Introduction to this report, the Attorney General issued the revised NSI Guidelines on Octo…
[WEB] https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/library [archived]
A webpage compiling reports and publications released by the FBI and its criminal justice and law enforcement partners.
[WEB] https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/Photocopy/134434NCJRS.pdf
Chapter 1 law enforcement generally, and b) law enforcement intelligence specifically 3. intelligence capabilities of the Secret Sexvice, the FBI, and the CIA
[WEB] https://cbi.colorado.gov/cjis-markers [archived]
While records from the files above are still considered CJI, there can be indicators within a system that a record exists, without that mention being classified as CJI. However, per CJIS Security Policy, the mere confirmation of the existence of a record within the CCIC/NCIC Rest…
[WEB] https://www.ncis.navy.mil/Portals/25/Documents/Media/Reading%20Room/NCIS%20Manuals/NCIS%20Manual%201.pdf?ver=wZwNMwsWRWzb3t2rMwpNPw%3D%3D
The office served as a model for others developed. 000001. Page 2. UNCLASSIFIED. 2. UNCLASSIFIED during World War I and accounted for some impressive successes ...
[REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/USMC/comments/g8c1qm/criminal_investigaton_division/ [archived]
26 Apr 2020 · Hello there ladies/gents. Every few months I seem to see a post or two asking about the lat-move only 5821 Criminal Investigator MOS, ...
[REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/3dspiracy/comments/1anofo1/fbi_keeps_giving_me_errors_when_downloading_cia/ [archived]
Get 3hs app for your game downloading needs. Also, get universal updater for your homebrew downloading needs. Get FBI reloaded to download big files with improved reliability.
[REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1z3fni/eli5_why_do_the_fbi_and_cia_use_polygraph_lie/ [archived]
27 Feb 2014 · The polygraph is used to 1. intimidate you and 2. shed light into areas that might look shady or uncertain to them.
[REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/Intelligence/comments/11iso6z/fbi_investigative_specialist_physical/
FBI Investigative Specialist (Physical Surveillance related to Foreign counter-intelligence) I was wondering if anybody had an insight in this position in the FBI, it's not a Special Agent position but it sounds like something I would be interested in doing after my initial Army …
[REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1oiv73/iama_forensic_psychologist_im_an_expert_on/ [archived]
15 Oct 2013 · I'm an expert on psychological testing (eg, IQ!) and I help courts make decisions on parental rights, competency, and other issues where psychology can help.
[REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/ekdnfg/ive_spent_my_career_arresting_doctors_and_nursers/
5 Jan 2020 · There are a number of ongoing cases in the news about doctors and nurses who are accused of murdering their patients. I am the coauthor of ...
[REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/Scams/comments/1d47v8g/fbi_investigation_notice_from_google_is_this_real/ [archived]
FBI does this whenever there is an ongoing investigation about something and you probably were caught up in the thing they wanted to look into.
[WEB] https://www.archives.gov/research/investigations/fbi/classifications
A complete list of the classes of records can be found on the FBI's website. As of January 2014, the National Archives holds case files from the classes of records listed below. Clicking on the title will lead you to a description of that class. In addition to those from Headquar…
[REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/Banking/comments/1d3d1ft/denied_savings_account_at_cu_due_to_chexsystems/ [archived]
Help! I was denied at a local credit union due to my chexsystems score, and I'm trying to understand what all these mean. I pulled my report and…

CROSS-REFERENCE

→ SHARES-ACTOR FBI Informants in Targeted Organizations: Intelligence Collection vs. Incitement to Illegal Activity — Both dossiers concern the use and impact of FBI confidential informants in investigations.
→ PARALLEL-PATTERN Prosecutions Based on COINTELPRO Infiltration: Convictions, Reversals, and Entrapment Claims — This dossier's inquiry into CI-driven prosecutions parallels the historical question of prosecutions stemming from COINTELPRO infiltration.