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FBI had, then tossed anthrax type used in attacks
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-08-19 09:49 When Ivins sent his initial sample to the FBI, a duplicate went to the lab of Dr. Paul Keim, a geneticist at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. Keim still had his RMR-1029 sample in 2006 when the FBI realized it could match Ivins to two batches of anthrax-laced letters that were mailed in the weeks after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. Stebbins said the fact that Keim kept his sample was key in building the case, something Keim played down after the news conference. FBI officials and scientists also played down any significance of the element silicon in the killer anthrax strain, saying it seemed more of a natural occurrence than deliberate weaponizing as once theorized early in the investigation. One of the targets of the letters was former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle, who on Monday called the evidence against Ivins convincing, even if he is not completely sure the investigation focused on the right person. In an interview, Daschle praised the investigation and said his two-hour FBI briefing last week was "complete and persuasive." Still, he said, there are some open questions. He said the evidence should be scientifically reviewed. Daschle said the most compelling evidence to him is the odd, extended hours that the Army scientist kept shortly after the September 11 attacks. "He had no real explanation for the significant increase," Daschle said. "His only response was that he wanted to hang out there, which was not a very compelling reason." Daschle and fellow Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy both received anthrax-laced letters in their Senate offices. Both senators have received recent briefings from FBI Director Robert Mueller on the evidence against Ivins. |
