Chapter 10. The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Art Theft Program

Abstract

The illicit trade in art and cultural property has become a major category of international crime. This includes theft of individual works of art, illegal export of objects protected by international laws, pillaging of archaeological sites, and vandalism. Art crime is an international problem requiring cooperation at all levels of law enforcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) established the Art Theft Program in 1992 to assist law enforcement agencies investigating these cases. A major component is the National Stolen Art File, a computerized database of stolen art and cultural property as reported to the FBI by law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and internationally. Thefts from museums and libraries account for approximately 18 percent of the cultural property theft cases reported to the National Stolen Art File. The paper provides information on U.S. statutes, FBI guidelines on protection, actions to take if a theft occurs, recovery from theft, and databases for stolen art.