Megan Garvey and Eric Lichtblau report for the Los Angeles Times. Excerpt:
WASHINGTON — The decision by the FBI to administer polygraph tests to hundreds of federal workers at two top military research facilities marks a new effort by investigators to smoke out individuals who might have information about last year’s deadly anthrax attacks.
Seven months after the first victim died from the bioterrorist attack launched by mail, officials still have been unable to identify a suspect through intensive scientific and other law enforcement techniques.
However, suspicion has focused on two military laboratories, at least one of which has weapon-grade anthrax stocks available. Scientists analyzing the genetic sequence of the spores used in the attacks– which came from a strain known as Ames– said earlier this month that they were able to rule out some laboratories as the source of the spores that killed five people and sickened at least 13 others. Federal investigators characterize the unusual plan to begin polygraph testing of large numbers of employees at Ft. Detrick in Maryland and Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah next month as “another step in the investigation.”
“What you’ve got is a universe of individuals who could have the knowledge, ability and wherewithal to do this–and how do you separate them? How we’re doing that here is by asking them to submit to voluntary polygraphs,” said a federal law enforcement official who asked not to be identified.
Army officials said Tuesday that they are continuing to cooperate with federal investigators.
“We expect our folks to comply with the laws and share any information that FBI is asking for,” said Army spokeswoman Karen Baker.
Although the anonymous FBI source characterizes the planned polygraph interrogations as “voluntary,” any Army employees who, in compliance with the law, refuse to submit to this pseudoscientific ordeal seem likely to face retaliation.