List Fbi Dangerous Hiding Information Fugitives Caught Police

The "FBI" ("Federal Bureau of Investigation") is the U.S. government agency that tries to catch "federal" (national) criminals. The FBI publishes a list called the "FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives," which has information about the 10 "fugitives" (criminals who are hiding from the police) that the agency most wants to catch, often because they are the most dangerous fugitives in the country.

The list is "disseminated" (shared with many people) among the public in newspapers, on websites, and on "posters" (pieces of paper covered with information and put on walls) in post offices and other public places. People are requested to call the FBI if they have any information about the "whereabouts" (location of where something or someone is) of any of the fugitives. In the past, the list has been very "effective" (good at doing something quickly and inexpensively) at helping the FBI catch dangerous fugitives.

As of late 2007, 486 fugitives have been on the FBI list, and 456 have been caught or located. Of those fugitives, 148 have been caught or located with help from the public.

Fugitives are "removed from" (taken off) the list when they are caught, when they die, or when they are replaced by other, more dangerous criminals. One man was on the list for only two hours, because he was caught "right away" (very quickly). Another man was on the list for almost 26 years, longer than any other criminal. The FBI never "ranks" (lists in order) the fugitives, because it does not want the criminals to try to become "number one" (the most dangerous or most wanted fugitive).