The FBI has lagged in becoming an effective intelligence-gathering unit nearly seven years after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, a U.S. congressional report said.

The analysis cites gaps in training and unfilled key positions as reason why the bureau has yet to make the dramatic leaps necessary to protect the United States from terrorist attacks, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

The Senate Intelligence Committee analysis, released Thursday, recommended the bureau cede some of its autonomy to the director of national intelligence and establish performance metrics and specific timetables to address shortcomings.

Among problems the panel found in the bureau's intelligence-gathering effort were gaps in the training and deployment of analysts hired post-Sept. 11, 2001, for threat assessment. Field Intelligence Groups, the front lines of the intelligence effort in FBI field offices nationwide, are poorly staffed, are led overwhelmingly by special agents, and are often 'surged' to other FBI priorities, the report said.

The analysis is the latest to wonder whether the FBI can morph into an agency that can sniff out terrorists before they strike, the Times said. The assessment was in a report accompanying a bill that would outline the intelligence community's policies, programs and spending for fiscal year 2009.

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