Philosophy
Now the chemist's skill is revealed in the analysis of the strand of anthrax that assisted the FBI. However, regardless of the analysis and conclusions the ultimate test in a criminal investigation is through the rigors of the judicial system. Such data may or may not survive as genuine evidence.
USING NEW and sophisticated scientific techniques, investigators have made substantial progress in the seven-year-old anthrax investigation, the FBI has confirmed. This information comes only days after the lead suspect committed suicide.
When Bruce E. Ivins, a senior biodefense researcher at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) in Fort Detrick, Md., died on July 29, federal prosecutors were about to identify him as the one who sent the 2001 letters laced with anthrax and charge him with killing five people and injuring 17 others.
According to government officials "a scientific breakthrough" that creates a DNA equivalent of a fingerprint allowed investigators to identify the origin of the anthrax used in the 2001 mailing and link Ivins to the crime. The FBI, with help from the scientific community, developed four individual, highly sensitive, specific tests to detect the unique qualities of anthrax, government officials said.
One company that has been developing and marketing such a technology is Carlsbad, Calif.-based Ibis Bioscience. Ibis Vice President of Research Steven A. Hofstadler confirms having a service contract with the FBI, but he will not comment, because of the ongoing investigation, on any details regarding anthrax, despite a recent publication on the topic (Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2008, 14, 653). He tells C&EN that the FBI has three Ibis systems.
The technology developed by Ibis, and presumably used by the FBI, uses specifically targeted primers and the polymerase chain reaction to amplify highly conserved genomic regions. The amplified products are analyzed by electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry followed by base composition analysis to identify and determine the relative quantity of pathogenic bacteria in a sample. Multiple genomic regions can be amplified in parallel for a given sample. High-resolution genotyping of a specific species can be achieved with additional primers targeted to flank highly variable regions of a specific genome.
Court documents reveal that more than 1,000 anthrax isolates were compared with the anthrax used in the attacks. Only eight of these isolates contained the four genetic markers that characterized the mailed anthrax. All eight isolates are directly related to a single anthrax strain stored in a secure location at USAMRIID, where Ivins was the sole custodian since 1997.
Bruce Ivins--"scapegoats for sale or rent"
Bruce Ivins--a rush to an accusation?
- Bruce E. Ivins--case Closed?
Eight years later the FBI has filed a 92 page report closing the case against Bruce E. Ivans who is believed to be the perpetrator in five anthrax deaths. [Where can this document be found?] "F.B.I., Laying Out Evidence, Closes Anthrax Letters Case"...
- Anthrax, Ivins, Fbi--more
Weakness in character assessment and a bungling FBI? "Anthrax-Case Affidavits Add to Bizarre Portrait" by Eric Lichtblau and Scott Shane September 25th, 2008 The New York Times A judge unsealed a new batch of court documents in the anthrax case on Wednesday,...
- Fbi To Release More Data On Anthrax Case This Week
The third week of August will be when the FBI presents more hard data regarding the anthrax issue and their decision to charge Bruce Ivins in order to quell doubts and suspicions. "F.B.I. Will Present Scientific Evidence in Anthrax Case to Counter Doubts"...
- Anthrax, Fbi...questions Continue
This is beginning to deepen the quest of data gathering and scientific methodologies which transcends the guilt or innocence of Bruce Ivans. "Nagging Questions in Anthrax Case" by Laura Fitzpatrick August 13th, 2008 Time As probable bioterrorists go,...
- Bruce Ivins--a Rush To An Accusation?
Bruce Ivins April 22nd, 1946 to July 29th, 2008 "Attorneys on both sides of the FBI's anthrax case against microbiologist Bruce Ivins acknowledge much of the evidence is circumstantial." so wrote NPR's Ari Shapiro. Bruce Ivins committed suicide...
Philosophy
Anthrax--chemical signatures
Now the chemist's skill is revealed in the analysis of the strand of anthrax that assisted the FBI. However, regardless of the analysis and conclusions the ultimate test in a criminal investigation is through the rigors of the judicial system. Such data may or may not survive as genuine evidence."Anthrax Analyzed"
Technology helps investigators build case against government researcher
by
Rochelle Bohaty
August 11th, 2008
Chemical & Engineering News
Technology helps investigators build case against government researcher
by
Rochelle Bohaty
August 11th, 2008
Chemical & Engineering News
USING NEW and sophisticated scientific techniques, investigators have made substantial progress in the seven-year-old anthrax investigation, the FBI has confirmed. This information comes only days after the lead suspect committed suicide.
When Bruce E. Ivins, a senior biodefense researcher at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) in Fort Detrick, Md., died on July 29, federal prosecutors were about to identify him as the one who sent the 2001 letters laced with anthrax and charge him with killing five people and injuring 17 others.
According to government officials "a scientific breakthrough" that creates a DNA equivalent of a fingerprint allowed investigators to identify the origin of the anthrax used in the 2001 mailing and link Ivins to the crime. The FBI, with help from the scientific community, developed four individual, highly sensitive, specific tests to detect the unique qualities of anthrax, government officials said.
One company that has been developing and marketing such a technology is Carlsbad, Calif.-based Ibis Bioscience. Ibis Vice President of Research Steven A. Hofstadler confirms having a service contract with the FBI, but he will not comment, because of the ongoing investigation, on any details regarding anthrax, despite a recent publication on the topic (Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2008, 14, 653). He tells C&EN that the FBI has three Ibis systems.
The technology developed by Ibis, and presumably used by the FBI, uses specifically targeted primers and the polymerase chain reaction to amplify highly conserved genomic regions. The amplified products are analyzed by electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry followed by base composition analysis to identify and determine the relative quantity of pathogenic bacteria in a sample. Multiple genomic regions can be amplified in parallel for a given sample. High-resolution genotyping of a specific species can be achieved with additional primers targeted to flank highly variable regions of a specific genome.
Court documents reveal that more than 1,000 anthrax isolates were compared with the anthrax used in the attacks. Only eight of these isolates contained the four genetic markers that characterized the mailed anthrax. All eight isolates are directly related to a single anthrax strain stored in a secure location at USAMRIID, where Ivins was the sole custodian since 1997.
Bruce Ivins--"scapegoats for sale or rent"
Bruce Ivins--a rush to an accusation?
- Bruce E. Ivins--case Closed?
Eight years later the FBI has filed a 92 page report closing the case against Bruce E. Ivans who is believed to be the perpetrator in five anthrax deaths. [Where can this document be found?] "F.B.I., Laying Out Evidence, Closes Anthrax Letters Case"...
- Anthrax, Ivins, Fbi--more
Weakness in character assessment and a bungling FBI? "Anthrax-Case Affidavits Add to Bizarre Portrait" by Eric Lichtblau and Scott Shane September 25th, 2008 The New York Times A judge unsealed a new batch of court documents in the anthrax case on Wednesday,...
- Fbi To Release More Data On Anthrax Case This Week
The third week of August will be when the FBI presents more hard data regarding the anthrax issue and their decision to charge Bruce Ivins in order to quell doubts and suspicions. "F.B.I. Will Present Scientific Evidence in Anthrax Case to Counter Doubts"...
- Anthrax, Fbi...questions Continue
This is beginning to deepen the quest of data gathering and scientific methodologies which transcends the guilt or innocence of Bruce Ivans. "Nagging Questions in Anthrax Case" by Laura Fitzpatrick August 13th, 2008 Time As probable bioterrorists go,...
- Bruce Ivins--a Rush To An Accusation?
Bruce Ivins April 22nd, 1946 to July 29th, 2008 "Attorneys on both sides of the FBI's anthrax case against microbiologist Bruce Ivins acknowledge much of the evidence is circumstantial." so wrote NPR's Ari Shapiro. Bruce Ivins committed suicide...