The Federal Bureau of Investigation instituted the “Ten
Most Wanted Fugitives” list in an effort to publicize
particularly dangerous fugitives. The creation of the
program arose out of a wire service news story in 1949
about the “toughest guys” the FBI wanted to capture.

The story drew so much public attention that the “Ten
Most Wanted” list was given the okay by J. Edgar Hoover
the following year.

Since its debut, hundreds of the criminals included on the
list have been apprehended or located, with more than 150
as a result of tips from the public.