Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

FBI Tries to Dispel Anthrax Probe Doubts

But acknowledges 'spore on a grassy knoll' sentiment

Share

(Newser) – The FBI revealed unprecedented details about its investigation of army scientist Bruce Ivins yesterday in a move to counter skepticism in the scientific community. The agency laid out how it brought together top scientists from the public and private sector to trace samples of the deadly anthrax of 2001 to Ivins, who killed himself before being indicted, the Baltimore Sun reports. Ivins' attorney again disputed the government account.

"I don't think we're ever going to put the suspicions to bed," said an FBI official. "There's always going to be a spore on a grassy knoll." Starting with more than 1,000 samples of the bacteria, the team compared the DNA of each strain with that of the toxin that killed five people. From there, scientists narrowed the field to eight samples, and then to a single flask in Ivins' lab. "Obviously, for us, the science is strong enough that we're disclosing it to you today," said the FBI official.

An enlarged copy of an envelope addressed to Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., that contained anthrax, is shown during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington.
An enlarged copy of an envelope addressed to Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., that contained anthrax, is shown during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington.   (AP Photo)
FBI officials wearing protective suits prepare to enter an anthrax suspect's house. Testing done by a team of experts later cleared the suspect and focused suspicion on Bruce Ivins.
FBI officials wearing protective suits prepare to enter an anthrax suspect's house. Testing done by a team of experts later cleared the suspect and focused suspicion on Bruce Ivins.   (AP Photo)
U.S. prosecutors were planning to indict and seek the death penalty for Ivins.
U.S. prosecutors were planning to indict and seek the death penalty for Ivins.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

30 Stories

 Feds Point Fingers 
 in Hasan Missteps 

Fort Hood blame game begins

Nov 11, 09 5:43 AM CST
(Newser) - The FBI and the Pentagon are fighting off accusations that someone dropped the ball on Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan. Department of Defense officials say that the FBI never notified them that Hasan had been in contact with extremist imam Anwar al-Aulaqi, while the FBI's defenders say that his... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Pentagon • FBI • US military • counterterrorism • Department of Defense • imam • Fort Hood • Fort Hood shooting • Nidal Malik Hasan • Anwar al-Aulaqi

 Suspicious Powder 
 Sent to 3 NY Consulates 

Hazmat teams clear French, Austrian, Uzbek missions

Nov 10, 09 3:37 AM CST
(Newser) - The FBI is seeking a suspect with an apparent grudge against the French, Austrians, and Uzbeks after envelopes containing a suspicious white powder arrived at the three nations' New York diplomatic missions yesterday. Hazardous material units were sent to the consulates and decontaminated dozens of employees. No traces of anthrax... More »

MORE ABOUT:
FBI • New York City • anthrax • al-Qaeda

(Newser) - The Bush administration stonewalled human rights organizations and branches of the US government that sought an investigation into the alleged mass murder of Taliban prisoners in Afghanistan in 2001, the New York Times reports. As many as 1,500 people may have died in the incident, under the command... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Afghanistan • Bush administration • Taliban • investigation • FBI • human rights • war crimes • Department of Defense • Northern Alliance • Obama administration • mass graves • Abdul Rashid Dostum

30 Stories


FBI threw away evidence in probe
Wall Street Journal

Suspicions linger among scientists
Washington Post


Science & Health  •  US 
TwitterFollow @NewserScience on Twitter

 
FBI • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • genetic testing • Department of Defense • anthrax • National Institutes of Health • Bruce Ivins

from our news partners