Detectives hunt a criminal’s fingerprints. Scientists hunt a germ’s genetic fingerprints. Tracing the origin of bioterrorism takes both specialties. So the FBI is teaming up with public health experts and other scientists to create a national laboratory network dedicated to this field of “microbial forensics,” analyzing evidence from crimes committed with germs.
It's the same type of partnership invoked in the investigation of the 2001 anthrax-by-mail attacks. Although that case remains unsolved, the FBI consulted experts in anthrax genetics to learn that the type used was the virulent Ames strain, narrowing the probe to people with access to that particular microbe.
Formally establishing a laboratory network for future investigations promises to enhance the field, said Dr. Steven E. Schutzer of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, who is helping to draft quality-assurance guidelines for lab participants.
In Friday’s edition of the journal Science, FBI scientist Bruce Budowle, who is heading the project, and Schutzer describe the lab plans and call for scientific critique of the quality guidelines.
“Scientists can play a substantial role in thwarting the use of bioweapons,” by developing ways to detect them and trace their origin, they wrote.
Scientists from government agencies and university laboratories nationwide will participate in the network, with a hub at Fort Detrick, Md., they wrote.
One goal is to have on-call all the necessary experts on a particular bioweapon — for some types, there may be only one or two specialists in the country — whose home labs know how to handle evidence so that it’s admissible in court, Schutzer said.
Another goal is to foster research ensuring all the analytical methods used are scientifically solid, he added.
“It’s an unusual law-enforcement partnering with scientists,” he said.