Joseph Marx is the Senior Team Leader for the FBI’s Underwater Search and Evidence Recovery Team (USERT) at the Washington Field Office. He has served as an FBI Special Agent for 17 years, previously investigating National Security and Counterespionage matters before being selected to lead the Bureau’s dive team. An active diver since 1994 and a member of the FBI dive program for 15 years, Dr. Marx supervises underwater search and recovery operations across the United States and internationally. His team employs a range of advanced technologies, including sonar systems, autonomous and remotely operated vehicles, underwater detection tools, and light salvage techniques.

Dr. Marx holds a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology, with postdoctoral research on Arctic marine bacteria. He is also a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, an instructor in 16 diving specialties, Public Safety Diving Instructor, and serves as both an FBI Dive Instructor and FBI Dive Supervisor Instructor.