Actually, the protocol states something to the effect:

“Remel slants, or equivalent”.

Ivins had been preparing his own slants for decades. So it wouldn’t be unreasonable for him to believe his slants were “equivalent”.

Did Ivins ask them, “I am going to submit using the wrong slants, does that mean you will throw it out instead of keeping it and asking for another on the right slants?” Wouldn’t that be in one of his numerous emails?

When was the protocol to throw out submissions on the wrong slants developed? Was it in writing? Who decided it?

Did others submit on the wrong slants? Were those thrown out? Or kept? Who decided in each case?

Were any other submissions ever thrown out? Which ones and by whom? Same person who threw out Ivins?

Was the original Ivins submission the only one ever thrown out?

By a lab that already had it? They threw it out and only it, because they already had that sample themselves? But they didn’t test their own sample?

Who decided they would not submit a sample, if they didn’t?