Scientists Doubt US Anthrax Probe Findings

Mailbox covered during the 2001 anthrax scare

In the days following "nine eleven," a series of fatal incidents involving anthrax occurred in the northeastern United States and in Florida. The government's dreadful response to the episodes provided a deeply disturbing look at the nation's lack of preparation for an attack using biological agents as the weapon of choice. At one point, a New York post office annex which experienced an anthrax episode was demarcated by yellow crime-scene style tape. On one side -- anthrax; the other side -- clean. Let's just say that unenlightened approach did not inspire confidence.

The subsequent probe of the anthrax incidents has been a murky, clumsily handled affair. The federal government and its principal investigative arms concluded that a lone, rogue scientist was the perpetrator. Some concerned scientists did not buy the feds' New Millenium equivalent of Lee Harvey Oswald. They researched the unclassified documents related to the case and questioned significant aspects of the investigation.

The story noting the scientists' skepticism originally appeared in the October 9th The New York Times. It details the most important objections the scientists raised, and the government's response to them.