[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 45, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 45CFR5.68]

[Page 30-31]
 
                        TITLE 45--PUBLIC WELFARE
 
                           AND HUMAN SERVICES
 
PART 5--FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
 
             Subpart F--Reasons for Withholding Some Records
 
Sec. 5.68  Exemption seven: Law enforcement.

    We are not required to disclose information or records that the 
government has compiled for law enforcement purposes. The records may 
apply to actual or potential violations of either criminal or civil laws 
or regulations. We can withhold these records only to the extent that 
releasing them would cause harm in at least one of the following 
situations:
    (a) Enforcement proceedings. We may withhold information whose 
release could reasonably be expected to interfere with prospective or 
ongoing law enforcement proceedings. Investigations of fraud and 
mismanagement, employee misconduct, and civil rights violations may fall 
into this category. In certain cases--such as when a fraud investigation 
is likely--we may refuse to confirm or deny the existence of records 
that relate to the violations in order not to disclose that an 
investigation is in progress, or may be conducted.
    (b) Fair trial or impartial adjudication. We may withhold records 
whose release would deprive a person of a fair trial or an impartial 
adjudication because of prejudicial publicity.
    (c) Personal privacy. We are careful not to disclose information 
that could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion 
of personal privacy. When a name surfaces in an investigation, that 
person is likely to be vulnerable to innuendo, rumor, harassment, and 
retaliation.
    (d) Confidential sources and information. We may withhold records 
whose release could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a 
confidential source of information. A confidential source may be an 
individual; a state, local, or foreign government agency; or any private 
organization. The exemption applies whether the source provides 
information under an express promise of confidentiality or under 
circumstances from which such an assurance could be reasonably inferred. 
Also, where the record, or information in it, has been compiled by a 
criminal law enforcement authority conducting a criminal investigation, 
or by an agency conducting a lawful national security investigation, the 
exemption also protects all information supplied by a confidential 
source. Also protected from mandatory disclosure is any information 
which, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to jeopardize the 
system of confidentiality that assures a flow of information from 
sources to investigatory agencies.

[[Page 31]]

    (e) Techniques and procedures. We may withhold records reflecting 
special techniques or procedures of investigation or prosecution, not 
otherwise generally known to the public. In some cases, it is not 
possible to describe even in general terms those techniques without 
disclosing the very material to be withheld. We may also withhold 
records whose release would disclose guidelines for law enforcement 
investigations or prosecutions if this disclosure could reasonably be 
expected to create a risk that someone could circumvent requirements of 
law or of regulation.
    (f) Life and physical safety. We may withhold records whose 
disclosure could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical 
safety of any individual. This protection extends to threats and 
harassment as well as to physical violence.