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DNA Of Victims, Anthrax Led To Scientist

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The Associated Press

Published: August 4, 2008

WASHINGTON - DNA taken from the bodies of people killed in the 2001 anthrax attacks helped lead investigators to Bruce Ivins, who oversaw the highly specific type of toxin in an Army lab, a government scientist said Sunday.

Using new genome technology, researchers looked at samples of cells from the victims to identify the kind of anthrax Ames strain that killed them, the scientist said. They noticed very subtle differences in the DNA of the strain used in the attacks compared to other types of Ames anthrax.

Spores taken from envelopes used to mail the anthrax, and from sites where they were sent, also were scrutinized.

With that, investigators linked the specific type of anthrax to Ivins' biological weapons lab at Ft. Detrick in Frederick, Md., where he oversaw its use and handling for research.

"It had to do with the very specific characteristics in the DNA of the letters and what was in Bruce's labs," said the government scientist, who is close to the investigation. "They were cultures he was personally responsible for."

The scientist spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to reporters.

Investigators have said they used additional evidence to build the case against Ivins, including looking at who had access to the poison or the labs when it was mailed.

Although the Army lab where Ivins worked had long been on the FBI's radar, scientists were unable to pinpoint the specific strain used in the attacks until about a year ago.

The genome technology that led to Ivins was not available or was too expensive to use often until about three years ago. The science is known as DNA fingerprinting.

Though any two anthrax samples will likely share roughly the same DNA structure, there are tiny differences from sample to sample. Scientists used those "fingerprints" to identify the source of the anthrax that killed five people.

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