A guide to the records of the FBI. It details how much material exists, its history, where it is housed, plans for its ultimate disposition, and how one can gain access. It includes descriptions of unclassified records, lists of abbreviations used on FBI documents, and an explanation of the FOIA.

Includes index.

Background -- The FBI Record-keeping System -- Using the Guide -- Classifications -- Specialized Indexes -- An Overview of the Indexes -- FBI Unclassified Indexes -- Special Files -- J. Edgar Hoover's Official and Confidential (O & C) File and the Nichols File -- W. Mark Felt Files -- Electronic Surveillance Files -- The FBI Interesting Case Program -- FBI Budget Records -- Japanese Activities in the United States -- Appendix I. Standard FBI Abbreviations -- Appendix II. Abbreviations Used in Espionage and Foreign Counter-intelligence Cases -- Appendix Ill. Abbreviations of Field Office Locations -- Appendix IV. Abbreviations of Foreign Office Locations -- Appendix V. FBI Records Released under the Freedom of Information Act -- Appendix VI. Classification 80: Standard Files and Reference Collections -- Appendix VII. Symbols Used by the FBI on Documents -- Appendix VIII. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) -- Appendix IX. Department of Justice Classification System -- Appendix X. Department of Justice Old Classification System -- Appendix XI. FBI Central Records Classification System -- Appendix XII. FBI Records Turned over to NARA in 1992 -- FBI Organizational Charts, 1941-1990.