(a) In General.—At the request of an appropriate law enforcement official of a State or political subdivision, the Attorney General and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation may assist in the investigation of a felony crime of violence in violation of the law of any State in which the victim appears to have been selected because he or she is a traveler.
(b) Foreign Travelers.—In a case in which the traveler who is a victim of a crime described in subsection (a) is from a foreign nation, the Attorney General and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and, when appropriate, the Secretary of State shall assist the prosecuting and law enforcement officials of a State or political subdivision to the fullest extent possible in securing from abroad such evidence or other information as may be needed for the effective investigation and prosecution of the crime.
(c) Definitions.—In this section—(1) “felony crime of violence” means an offense punishable by more than one year in prison that has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person of another.
(2) “State” means a State, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.
(3) “traveler” means a victim of a crime of violence who is not a resident of the State in which the crime of violence occurred.
Structure US Code
Title 28— JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
PART II— DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
CHAPTER 33— FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
§ 531. Federal Bureau of Investigation
§ 532. Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
§ 533. Investigative and other officials; appointment
§ 535. Investigation of crimes involving Government officers and employees; limitations
§ 536. Positions in excepted service
§ 537. Expenses of unforeseen emergencies of a confidential character
§ 538. Investigation of aircraft piracy and related violations
§ 539. Counterintelligence official reception and representation expenses
§ 540. Investigation of felonious killings of State or local law enforcement officers
§ 540A. Investigation of violent crimes against travelers