Anthrax investigation still yielding surprising findings
FEB 26, 2009
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.023100
NatureNews : The deadly bacterial spores mailed to victims in the US anthrax attacks, scientists say, share a chemical ‘fingerprint’ that is not found in bacteria from the flask linked to Bruce Ivins, the biodefence researcher implicated in the crime.At a biodefence meeting on 24 February in Baltimore, Maryland, Joseph Michael, a materials scientist at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, presented analyses of three letters sent to the New York Post and to the offices of Senators Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy. Spores from two of those show a distinct chemical signature that includes silicon, oxygen, iron, and tin; the third letter had silicon, oxygen, iron and possibly also tin, says Michael. Bacteria from Ivins’ RMR-1029 flask did not contain any of those four elements. Related News Picks FBI call on NAS to study anthrax case Independent review set on FBI anthrax inquiry Anthrax attacks gave rise to biodefense industry Anthrax investigation should be investigated says Rep. Rush Holt Questions remain over Anthrax case Scientists raise queries over FBI Anthrax probe
© 2009 American Institute of Physics
