The United States Attorney, as the chief federal law enforcement officer in his district, is authorized to request the appropriate federal investigative agency to investigate alleged or suspected violations of federal law. The federal investigators operate under the hierarchical supervision of their bureau or agency and consequently are not ordinarily subject to direct supervision by the United States Attorney. If the United States Attorney requests an investigation and does not receive a timely preliminary report, he may wish to consider requesting the assistance of the Criminal Division. In certain matters the United States Attorney may wish to request the formation of a team of agents representing the agencies having investigative jurisdiction of the suspected violations.

The grand jury may be used by the United States Attorney to investigate alleged or suspected violations of federal law. Unless circumstances dictate otherwise, a grand jury investigation should not be opened without consultation with the investigative agency or agencies having investigative jurisdiction of the alleged or suspected offense.

[cited in JM 9-2.001]