The FBI's Baltimore Division is responsible for investigating all terrorist-related activity in both Maryland and Delaware. The FBI further classifies terrorism as either domestic or international, depending on the origin, base and objectives of the terrorist organization. Domestic terrorism involves groups or individuals who are based and operate entirely within the United States and Puerto Rico without foreign direction and whose violent acts are directed at elements of the U.S. Government or population. These guidelines set forth the predication threshold and limits for investigation of crimes, including criminal activities in support of terrorist objectives.
Terrorism is a crime under several existing federal statutes.
Additionally, there are provisions in the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 which make fundraising for a terrorist organization a criminal offense, and criminal participation in international terrorist activities on U. S. soil a criminal offense. All suspected terrorists placed under arrest are provided access to legal counsel and normal judicial procedure, including Fifth Amendment privileges and a fair trail by judge and jury. The FBI investigates terrorism-related matters without regard to race, religion, national origin, or gender. Reference to individual members of any political, ethnic, or religious group in this report does not imply that all members of that group are terrorists. Terrorists represent a small criminal minority in any large social context.