Federal · Title 28 — Judiciary and Judicial Procedure

28 U.S.C. § 540B: Investigation of serial killings

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute authorizes the Attorney General and FBI to investigate serial killings at the request of state or local law enforcement. It defines serial killings as three or more related killings with common characteristics.

Read the full statutory text

The Attorney General and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation may investigate serial killings in violation of the laws of a State or political subdivision, if such investigation is requested by the head of a law enforcement agency with investigative or prosecutorial jurisdiction over the offense. The term “killing” means conduct that would constitute an offense under section 1111 of title 18 , United States Code, if Federal jurisdiction existed. The term “serial killings” means a series of three or more killings, not less than one of which was committed within the United States, having common characteristics such as to suggest the reasonable possibility that the crimes were committed by the same actor or actors. The term “State” means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.