Quality Sample Collection, Handling, and Preservation for an Effective Microbial Forensics Program.

Journal Article · Sun Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2006 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 72(10):6431-6438

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.01165-06· OSTI ID:898625

Budowle, Bruce; Schutzer, Steven E; Burans, James P; Beecher, Douglas J; Cebulla, Thomas; Chakraborty, Ranjit; Cobb, William T; Fletcher, Jacqueline; Hale, Martha L; Harris, Robert B; Heitkamp, Michael; Keller, Frederick P; Kuske, Cheryl; LeClerc, Joseph E; Marrone, Babetta L; McKenna, Thomas S; Morse, Stephen A; Rodriguez, Luis L; Valentine, Nancy B; Yadev, Jagjit

Science can be part of an effective investigative response to a bioterrorism event or a biocrime by providing capabilities to analyze biological and associated signatures in collected evidence. Microbial forensics, a discipline comprised of several scientific fields, is dedicated to the analysis of evidence from such criminal acts to help determine the responsible party and to exonerate the innocent. A partnership has been formed amount a number of government agencies, academia, and the private sector to better respond and deter potential perpetrators of bioterrorism or biocrimes. This partnership leverages our national scientific and analytical capabilities to support activities of law enforcement agencies. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), whose mission is, in part, to respond to and to prevent acts of terrorism against the United States, has established the national Bioforensics Analysis Center (NBFAC). The NBFAC, in partnership with the FBI, (1) provides a state-of-the-art central laboratory for the analysis of microbial forensic evidence; and (2) serves as a nexus for integrating the national resources to increase the effectiveness of law enforcement in obtaining the highest level of attribution possible in criminal cases where the weapon is a biological agent.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 898625
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-53331; TRN: US200706%%42
• Journal Information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 72(10):6431-6438, Journal Name: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 72(10):6431-6438
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AGENTS
MICROORGANISMS
SAMPLING
MATERIALS HANDLING
CRIME DETECTION
LABORATORIES
Bacillus-Anthracis Contamination
Cerebrospinal-Fluid
Specimen Collection
Quantitative PCR
United-States
Transport
Bacteria
Glycerol
Bioterrorism
Susrvival