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Published online 19 August 2008 | Nature | doi:10.1038/454928a
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FBI to reveal anthrax data
Science of case will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) plans to publish in peer-reviewed journals much of the scientific evidence it used to pin the 2001 anthrax attacks on microbiologist Bruce Ivins.
Ivins's suicide on 29 July means that the government's case against him will never be heard in court.
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There may be too many questions about the merits of anonymous peer reviews for that process to enlighten us on the FBI's effort to pin the 2001 anthrax attacks on Dr. Bruce Ivins and his subsequent suicide. Oliver K. Manuel http://myprofile.cos.com/manuelo09
The science might be fine, but unless it PROVES that Ivan's had something more than access, it really is irrelevant. I think most folks believe well enough that he had access - but access or even lack of cooperation does not prove actual criminal action on his part. Do we have video of him with sufficient resolution to prove he was the chap mailing the letters? Do we have anything other that circumstantial evidence? OK say the science proves it came from his lab, interesting, but not proof he was the evil doer. Peer review of science aspects is all fine and well, but for purposes of discussion, even if we stipulate that it did come from his lab, does that prove him to be the "doer" ? I think we need a little more than peer review of the science, though, of course, that is a nice step.