identical mutations in evidence collected during the investigation. The purpose of these analyses was to classify any genetic mutations found among the morphological variants identified within the spore powder, and then compare these mutations to the repository of Ames samples, in an effort to identify the source material of the letter spore powders. This effort led to the identification of four mutations that passed validation and were deemed suitable for further analysis.
Once the genome of the wildtype and the specified mutations were mapped, the next step was for other outside laboratories, Commonwealth Biotechnologies Incorporated, the Midwest Research Institute, and the Illinois Institute of Technology and Research Institute, to develop assays to test for the presence of these mutations in the FBIR. Upon development, the assays
Over the ensuing years, each of the 1,070 FBIR submissions was compared to the evidentiary material using four genetic assays. The first genetic assays developed and validated were the assays to detect the mutations designated A1 and A3. Subsequently, these were the first assays applied to the examination of the FBIR. Thereafter, genetic assays for the detection of mutations D and E were developed, validated, and applied to the examination of the FBIR. By the spring of 2005, there were indications that RMR-1029 was a likely candidate as the parent material. However, the assays for Morph D and Morph E had not yet been applied to the repository, so these early results were speculative. However, by early 2007, the results of FBIR examinations indicated eight FBIR submissions were positive for the mutations originally found in the anthrax letter evidence. Using submission records, investigators determined that these eight samples were derived from a single source identified as RMR-1029.
IV. THE EVIDENCE AGAINST DR. BRUCE E. IVINS
- A. Introduction
The evidence gathered in this seven-year investigation establishes that Dr. Bruce Ivins was the anthrax mailer–both direct evidence that anthrax spores under his sole and exclusive control were the parent material to the anthrax spores used in the attack and compelling circumstantial evidence set forth below.
- B. Background of Dr. Ivins
Dr. Bruce Edwards Ivins was a senior microbiologist in the Bacteriology Division of USAMRIID. At the time of his suicide, he had been employed there for the prior 27 years. He was considered one of the nation's leading experts in the growth, sporulation, and purification of Bacillus anthracis. Dr. Ivins obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Bacteriology in 1968, a Master of Science degree in Microbiology in 1971, and a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Microbiology in 1976, all from the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Ivins then completed a two-
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