FBI planning a bigger role in international terrorism investigations

At the Chapter's May 27th Spring 2009 Quarterly meeting FBI SA Steven Merrill gave a great and timely presentation on his recent assignment as the Assistant Legal Attaché (ALAT) in New Delhi, India. SA Merrill was the first U.S. representative on the scene at the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India.

Recent reports say the FBI and Justice Department plan to significantly expand their role in global counter-terrorism operations, part of a U.S. policy shift that will replace a CIA-dominated system of clandestine detentions and interrogations with one built around transparent investigations and prosecutions.

Under the "global justice" initiative, which has been in the works for several months, FBI agents will have a central role in overseas counter-terrorism cases. They will expand their questioning of suspects and evidence-gathering to try to ensure that criminal prosecutions are an option, officials familiar with the effort said. READ MORE