* DXer summarizes the documentary evidence relating to Dr. Ivins work with rabbits (nowhere mentioned by the DOJ) which demolishes the FBI’s claim that Dr. Ivins had no reason to be in the lab
Posted by Lew Weinstein on July 3, 2012
The FBI has no case against this man … but meanwhile he is dead and the real perpetrators are still out there.
Here is the documentary evidence showing the FBI’s “Ivins Theory” — which was premised on the false and mistaken claim that Dr. Ivins time in the B3 was unexplained — was crock. Look at the Amerithrax Investigative Summary and you can see that the word “rabbits” is never mentioned.
Special thanks go to the unflagging efforts and good faith of the USAMRIID FOIA personnel who doggedly responded to innumerable requests; Lew, the Harvard MBA and former head of a lab with B3 facilities who has taken the time out from traveling the world to upload the documents; and the supremely talented and confidence-inspiring graphic artist who made graphics that never ceased to thrill me.
In the rush of events of the Spring and early Summer 2008, it is easy to drop the ball as happened with the AUSA marshalling the evidence in Amerithrax about how Dr. Ivins spent his time in the B3. At the same time, it takes a special stamina to pick up the ball back and run down the field with it in the face of BS PR spin from DOJ’s highest officials.
Dr. Ivins and his skilled counsel explained that his work with the animals was why he was in the lab but they did not have access to the documents from years before — many of the documents were kept by others. Obtaining the documents under FOIA literally took years.
And of course, the DOJ is on the record explaining that they will never give Congress the documents showing when they first learned that there were problems with the investigation.
Additional documents, that are not yet uploaded, paint a picture that would cause you weep for Dr. Ivins and the unfairness that an Ivins Theory was not required to be supported by the evidence.
1. In a Sept 23, 2011 letter to Senator Grassley, the DOJ says that Dr. Ivins made the dried powder in B5 using the lyophilizer even though the DOJ has proved he was in B3 tending to the rabbits, not B5 (the BL-2 lab), at the time the DOJ alleges he made the dried powder. THAT is the contradiction.
Posted by Lew Weinstein on December 16, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/in-a-sept-23-2011-letter-to-senator-grassley-the-doj-says-that-dr-ivins-made-the-dried-powder-in-b5-using-the-lyophilizer-even-though-the-doj-has-proved-he-was-in-b3-tending-to-the-rabbits-not-b/
2. AMERITHRAX prosecutors and investigators have never discussed what the newly released documents show about Dr. Ivins work with rabbits involved and those same documents were available to the FBI before Dr. Ivins’ killed himself.
Posted by Lew Weinstein on October 14, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/10/14/amerithrax-prosecutors-and-investigators-have-never-discussed-what-the-newly-released-documents-show-about-dr-ivins-work-with-rabbits-involved-and-those-same-documents-were-available-to-the-fbi-bef/
3. Document produced today to DXer discussing shipment of 52 rabbits week of September 24, 2001 for formaldehyde study
Posted by Lew Weinstein on August 31, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/08/31/document-produced-today-to-dxer-discussing-shipment-of-52-rabbits-week-of-september-24-2001-for-formaldehyde-study/
4. The lyophilizer in Building 1425 was in Suite B5, not Suite B3 where Dr. Ivins was on the nights in question (where he was doing the study with the 52 rabbits)
Posted by Lew Weinstein on November 11, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/11/11/the-lyophilizer-in-building-1425-was-in-suite-b5-not-suite-b3-where-dr-ivins-was-on-the-nights-in-question-where-he-was-doing-the-study-with-the-52-rabbits/
5. In an Oct 5, ’01 email among the materials provided by USAMRIID this week, Dr. Ivins explains the results 3 days after the challenge of rabbits in the formaldehyde experiment; the word “rabbits” has never passed the prosecutor’s lips
Posted by Lew Weinstein on December 24, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/12/24/in-an-oct-5-01-email-among-the-materials-provided-by-usamriid-this-week-dr-ivins-explains-the-results-3-days-after-the-challenge-of-rabbits-in-the-formaldehyde-experiment-the-word-rabbits/
6. In Advance Of The October 1, 2001 Rabbit Challenge, The 52 Rabbits Nowhere Mentioned By Prosecutors Needed To Be Moved Into The B3 Suite 7 Days Earlier (And Documents Establish That They Were)
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 13, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/13/in-advance-of-the-october-1-2001-rabbit-challenge-the-rabbits-nowhere-mentioned-by-prosecutors-needed-to-be-moved-into-the-b3-suite-7-days-earlier-and-documents-establish-that-they-were/
7. As Dr. Ivins often explained, conducting a rabbit study such as the one involving 52 rabbits in early October 2001 always depended on the availability of hot suite space.
Posted by Lew Weinstein on November 1, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/11/01/as-dr-ivins-often-explained-conducting-a-rabbit-study-such-as-the-one-involving-52-rabbits-in-early-october-2001-always-depended-on-the-availability-of-hot-suite-space/
8. Handwritten notes produced by USAMRIID this week summarizing rabbit contract with Covance involving formaldehyde
Posted by Lew Weinstein on December 24, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/12/24/handwritten-notes-produced-by-usamriid-this-week-summarizing-rabbit-contract-with-covance-involving-formaldehyde/
9. In response to Dr. Ivins’ October 5, 2001 email discussing the rabbit deaths over the last three days, the participants in the study that day discussed by email the implications for further study
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 4, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/in-response-to-dr-ivins-october-5-2001-email-discussing-the-rabbit-deaths-over-the-last-three-days-the-participants-in-the-study-that-day-discussed-by-email-the-implications-for-further-study/
10. NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION: 10 days after the rabbits had been challenged on October 1, 2001, Dr. Ivins presented preliminary results from the Battelle study involving the 5 year old preps of rPA vaccine w/ and w/o formaldehyde.
Posted by Lew Weinstein on December 24, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/12/24/not-for-public-distribution-10-days-after-the-rabbits-had-been-challenged-on-october-1-2001-dr-ivins-presented-preliminary-results-from-the-battelle-study-involving-the-5-year-old-preps-of-rpa-v/
11. Under The Protocol Involving Rabbits and Formaldehyde Implemented in Late September 2001 and Early October 2001, Dr. Ivins Was Tasked With Monitoring The Animals After Challenge
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 1, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/under-the-protocol-involving-rabbits-and-formaldehyde-implemented-in-late-september-2001-and-early-october-2001-dr-ivins-was-tasked-with-monitoring-the-animals-after-challenge/
12. Hickory Dickory Doc: The mice ran up the clock and Dr. Ivins time in the BL-3 lab in late September 2001 but not as much as the rabbits did in early October 2001.
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 4, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/hickory-dickory-doc-the-mice-ran-up-the-clock-and-dr-ivins-time-in-the-bl-3-lab-in-late-september-2001-but-not-as-much-as-the-rabbits-did-in-early-october-2001/
13. Under The Mouse Protocol (As Under The Rabbit Protocol), Dr. Ivins Was Tasked With Taking Part In Immunization, Bleeding, Challenge And Observation Of The Animals
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 1, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/under-the-mouse-protocol-as-under-the-rabbit-protocol-dr-ivins-was-tasked-with-taking-part-in-immunization-bleeding-challenge-and-observation-of-the-animals/
14. Under The Protocol Involving Rabbits and Formaldehyde Relating To The Early October 2001 Challenge, The Rabbits Were To Be Euthanized By Injection Of Euthasol By Animal Tech Lab Anthony Bassett, Who Can Describe The Experiment
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 1, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/under-the-protocol-involving-rabbit-sand-formaldehyde-relating-to-the-early-october-2001-challenge-the-rabbits-were-to-be-euthanized-by-injection-of-euthasol-by-animal-tech-lab-anthony-bassett-who/
15. Did AUSA Lieber and Agent Montooth understand Dr. Ivins’ trips to the “AR” from the hot suites as trips to a locked cabinet in “Animal Resources” to get the Ketamine and Euthasol needed to anesthesize and euthanize moribund mice and rabbits? See DEA (part of DOJ) Controlled Substance log.
Posted by Lew Weinstein on December 11, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/12/11/did-ausa-lieber-and-agent-montooth-understand-dr-ivins-trips-to-the-ar-from-the-hot-suites-as-trips-to-a-locked-cabinet-in-animal-resources-to-get-the-euthasol-needed-to-euthanize-moribun/
16. 12 rabbits then died on day 3 and 4 and more on day 5; Ivins time then spent the extra time on those nights; AUSA Rachel Lieber got her facts seriously wrong in the investigative summary; DOJ should have required citations to the record.
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 3, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/12-rabbits-then-died-on-day-3-and-4-and-more-on-day-5-ivins-time-then-spent-the-extra-time-on-those-nights-ausa-rachel-lieber-got-her-facts-seriously-wrong-in-the-investigative-summary-doj-should/
17. Standard Operating Procedures for Animal Assessment and Monitoring: the beautiful Amerithrax AUSA did not appreciate that Dr. Ivins was tasked to do this the first week of October with 52 rabbits.
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 4, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/standard-operating-procedures-for-animal-assessment-and-monitoring-the-beautiful-amerithrax-ausa-did-not-realize-that-dr-ivins-was-tasked-to-do-this-the-first-week-of-october-with-52-rabbits/
18. In Week 9, the week (September 24th, 2001) the rabbits were shipped from Covance to USAMRIID Building 1425, Suite B3, how long did it take to bleed the 52 rabbits involved in the formaldehyde study?
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 4, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/in-week-9-the-week-september-24th-2001-the-rabbits-were-shipped-from-covance-to-usamriid-building-1425-suite-b3-how-long-did-it-take-to-bleed-the-52-rabbits-involved-in-the-formaldehyde-study/
19, GAO: With respect to the rabbit formaldehyde study in late Sep and early Oct 2001 involving Bruce Ivins and Patricia Fellows — nowhere mentioned by AUSA Lieber in her investigative summary — did Dr. Fellows address the study in the deposition that the Department of Justice required to be shredded?
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 4, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/gao-with-respect-to-the-rabbit-formaldehyde-study-in-late-sep-and-early-oct-2001-involving-bruce-ivins-and-patricia-fellows-nowhere-mentioned-by-ausa-lieber-in-her-investigative-summary-did/
20. GAO should obtain the very best contemporaneous documentation relating to Dr. Ivins specific activities with the guinea pigs, mice and rabbits on the nights that DOJ claimed, without evidence, that he was making a dried powder to mail.
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 6, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/gao-should-obtain-the-very-best-contemporaneous-documentation-relating-to-dr-ivins-specific-activities-with-the-guinea-pigs-mice-and-rabbits-on-the-nights-that-doj-claimed-without-evidence-that/
21. After Challenge On About Oct 1, 2001, One Of The Investigators On Rabbit/Formaldehyde Study Were Required To Observe The Control Rabbits For The First 7 Days After Challenge ; The AUSA and Investigators Never Mention The Rabbits
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 2, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/after-challenge-on-about-oct-1-2001-one-of-the-investigators-on-rabbitformaldehyde-study-were-required-to-observe-the-control-rabbits-for-the-first-7-days-after-challenge-the-ausa-and-investiga/
22. FBI interview statement: If someone came in off hours it was to work on the animal experiments – this could take approximately two hours and was usually a one-person job.
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 1, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/fbi-interview-statement-if-someone-came-in-off-hours-it-was-to-work-on-the-animal-experiments-this-could-take-approximately-two-hours-and-was-usually-a-one-person-job/
23. June 14, 2001 LACUS Subcommittee Meeting notice to consider Dr. Ivins’ proposal regarding formadehyde and rabbits.
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 2, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/june-14-2001-lacus-subcommittee-meeting-notice-to-consider-dr-ivins-proposal-regarding-formadehyde-and-rabbits/
24. Before Issuing Its Report, GAO Should Seek To Obtain “Animal Room Environment Report” for B310 and B305 in Suite B3, Building 1425 for September – October (for the guinea pigs, mice and rabbits attended to by Dr. Ivins in the B3 under the various protocols implemented those months); Used for each animal room, the forms provide space to record animal observations, cage sanitation schedules, and more.
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 2, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/before-issuing-its-report-gao-should-seek-to-obtain-animal-room-environment-report-for-b310-and-b305-in-suite-b3-building-1425-for-september-october-for-the-guinea-pigs-mic/
25. Justice Department Is Said To Be Arguing Against Itself But AUSA Rachel Lieber Has Not Even Yet Addressed The Issue Of The Rabbits Or Produced The Pertinent Contemporaneous Documents Relating To Dr. Ivins’ Work With The Rabbits.
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 29, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/justice-department-is-said-to-be-arguing-against-itself-but-ausa-rachel-lieber-has-not-even-yet-addressed-the-issue-of-the-rabbits-or-produced-the-pertinent-contemporaneous-documents-relating-to-dr/
26. Each of the 52 rabbits shipped the week of September 24, 2001 to USAMRIID Building 1425 to join Dr. Ivins in the Biolevel 3 lab had a unique identifying microchip.
Posted by Lew Weinstein on December 26, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/each-of-the-52-rabbits-shipped-the-week-of-september-24-2001-to-usamriid-building-1425-to-join-dr-ivins-in-the-biolevel-3-lab-had-a-unique-identifying-microchip/
28. Like the rabbits shipped to USAMRIID Building 1425 the week of September 24th and acclimated to biolevel 3 for one week before being challenged, the mice similarly were housed in building 1425, not building 1412
Posted by Lew Weinstein on December 26, 2011
29. The Animal Technician Shot Out The Cage Cards For The Rabbit Experiment Prior to 2004; the NCOIC, Small Animal Section Was Responsible For Retaining The Used Cards
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 13, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/13/the-animal-technician-shot-out-the-cage-cards-for-the-rabbit-experiment-prior-to-2004-the-ncoic-small-animal-section-was-responsible-for-retaining-the-used-cards/
30. By January 2003, the animal caretaker had thrown away the individual cage cards on the formaldehyde experiment with the 52 rabbits that Dr. Ivins was doing those nights in the lab in B3 in early October 2001
Posted on November 1, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/11/01/by-january-2003-the-animal-caretaker-had-thrown-away-the-individual-cage-cards-on-the-formaldehyde-experiment-with-the-52-rabbits-that-dr-ivins-was-doing-those-nights-in-the-lab-in-b3-in-early-oct/
31. Of The 52 Rabbits In The Early October 2001 Formaldehyde Experiment, How Many Were Exsanguinated Pursuant To This Procedure? All Of Them?
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 13, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/13/of-the-52-rabbits-in-the-early-october-2001-formalidehyde-experiment-how-many-were-exsanguinated-pursuant-to-this-procedure-all-of-them/
32. In an earlier experiment under the rabbit Protocol B00-03, the assistance of Dr. Ivins and two others was offered in connection with the bleeds over the two day period.
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 4, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/in-an-earlier-experiment-under-the-rabbit-protocol-b00-03-the-assistance-of-dr-ivins-and-two-others-was-offered-in-connection-with-the-bleeds-over-the-two-day-period/
33. Numerous USAMRIID Standard Operating Procedures (all mandatory) controlled the animal husbandry baseline services rendered the rabbits, guinea pigs and mice involved in Dr. Ivins’ experiments in Sep-Oct 2001
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 3, 2012
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/numerous-usamriid-standard-operating-procedures-all-mandatory-controlled-the-animal-husbandry-baseline-services-rendered-the-rabbits-guinea-pigs-and-mice-involved-in-dr-ivins-experiments-in-se/
34. Even in Later Protocols Involving Aerosol Challenges Conducted In Building 1412, the Rabbits Would Be Kept In Building 1425, Suite B3 Before And After Aerosol Challenge In 1412 (Where Monitoring Would Continue 21 Days)
Posted by Lew Weinstein on December 30, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/even-in-later-protocols-involving-aerosol-challenges-conducted-in-building-1412-the-rabbits-would-be-kept-in-building-1425-suite-b3-before-and-after-aerosol-challenge-in-1412-where-monitoring-wou/
35. Dr. Ivins explained that “what’s acceptable as a [rabbit animal protocol is constantly changing]” ; thus it is important that the GAO rely on the rabbit formaldehyde protocol as executed and not earlier draft versions.
Posted on December 9, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/dr-ivins-explained-that-whats-acceptable-as-a-rabbit-animal-protocol-is-constantly-changing-thus-it-is-important-that-the-gao-rely-on-the-rabbit-formaldehyde-protocol-as-executed-and-not/
36. After rabbits are challenged on the hot side, as many as three autoclaves are needed just processing cages and other items from the hotside, and it takes time to disinfect, decon and re-set up a room
Posted by Lew Weinstein on December 8, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/12/08/after-rabbits-are-challenged-on-the-hot-side-as-many-as-three-autoclaves-are-needed-just-processing-cages-and-other-items-from-the-hotside-and-it-takes-time-to-disinfect-decon-and-re-set-up-a-roo/
37. produced today by USAMRIID to the blog under FOIA: June 21, 2001 “PROTOCOL TITLE: Effect of formaldehyde on the potency stability of a candidate human anthrax vaccine in rabbits”
Posted by Lew Weinstein on November 17, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/produced-today-by-usamriid-to-the-blog-under-foia-june-21-2001-protocol-title-effect-of-formaldehyde-on-the-potency-stability-of-a-candidate-human-anthrax-vaccine-in-rabbits/
38. In a rabbit protocol provided by USAMRIID today, there is familiar discussion of drugs to be administered to the rabbits – for the Sept/Oct 2001 period, is there a contemporaneous log relating to the administration of drugs such as there is in a hospital?
Posted by Lew Weinstein on November 15, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/in-a-rabbit-protocol-provided-by-usamriid-today-there-is-familiar-discussion-of-drugs-to-be-administered-to-the-rabbits-for-the-septoct-2001-period-is-there-a-contemporaneous-log-relating-to-th/
39. The scientist who made the large amount of virulent Ames that is missing, who was thanked by the former Zawahiri associate for providing technical assistance re the Ames, is the person who could explain about the rabbits ; but she’s not talking.
Posted by Lew Weinstein on November 9, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/the-scientist-who-made-the-large-amount-of-virulent-ames-that-is-missing-who-was-thanked-by-the-former-zawahiri-associate-for-providing-technical-assistance-re-the-ames-is-the-person-who-could-exp/
40. Bruce Ivins’ co-authors can explain the rabbit and other animal protocols that applied to the subcutaneous challenges in B3 in Building 1425 conducted in September and October 2001.
Posted by Lew Weinstein on November 9, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/bruce-ivins-co-authors-can-explain-the-rabbit-and-other-animal-protocols-that-applied-to-the-subcutaneous-challenges-in-b3-in-building-1425-conducted-in-september-and-october-2001/
41. Dr. Ivins preferred a parenteral (subcutaneous) challenge because you could fit 60 rabbits in one room whereas an aerosol challenge would require 4 rooms (1 for animals, 2 hood lines, and 1 spore and bacterial plating)
Posted by Lew Weinstein on October 31, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/10/31/dr-ivins-preferred-a-parenteral-subcutaneous-challenge-because-you-could-fit-60-rabbits-in-one-room-whereas-an-aerosol-challenge-would-require-4-rooms-1-for-animals-2-hood-lines-and-1-spore-an/
42. It would take 1 hour and 50 minutes to autoclave animal pans and cages (90 minute steam cycle and 20 minute drying cycle)
Posted by Lew Weinstein on October 31, 2011
http://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/10/31/it-would-take-1-hour-and-50-minutes-to-autoclave-animal-pans-and-cages-90-minute-steam-cycle-and-20-minute-drying-cycle/
DXer said
From Greendale, Wisconsin, there is a wonderful Peeps entry called “Do The Greendale Bunny Hop!”
The caption explains
Rachel and Ken’s song and dance. They hold the record for making 52 bunnies disappear!
http://greenfield.patch.com/articles/enter-patchs-easter-peeps-contest-49f4ced5#video-13692905
DXer said
USAMRIID expert Louise Pitt is thanked for reviewing this 2013 manuscript. Dr. Pitt is an example of the highly qualified experts that GAO has available to interview regarding the protocols governing the conduct of animal studies being done by Bruce Ivins and his colleagues in September and October 2001.
Pathology and Pathophysiology of Inhalational Anthrax in a Guinea Pig Model
http://iai.asm.org/content/early/2013/01/24/IAI.01289-12.full.pdf
Mortality, Clinical Signs, and Body Weights
Of the 37 anthrax-infected animals, sixteen survived to scheduled termination time points, including all animals scheduled to be sacrificed at 24, 30, and 36 hours post-challenge; 3 of 4 animals scheduled to be sacrificed at 48 hours post-challenge, and 1 of 4 animals scheduled to be sacrificed at 72 hours post-challenge (Table 4). The remaining 21 anthrax-infected animals were found dead or euthanized due to moribund condition (Table 4). The time to death for these animals ranged between 46 and 71 hours post-challenge, with a mean of 56 hours. Animals did not show any clinical signs of disease during the first 36 hours after 330 challenge. Within a few hours after the appearance of symptoms, animals either died or reached moribund condition and met the criteria for euthanasia. The clinical manifestations were consistent with inhalational anthrax and similar to those observed in rabbit and NHP models, including labored breathing, cough, lacrimation, weakness, cyanosis, and lethargy. There were no significant changes from the baseline weights for any animal following challenge.
DXer said
Edward Jay Epstein describes the FBI’s “Ivins Theory”
“The FBI turned its attention to Dr. Steven J. Hatfill, a virologist who in 1999 worked at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) in Fort Detrick, which was experimenting with the Ames strain of anthrax. Hatfill showed stress on a polygraph exam, and he had taken the antibiotic Cirpo, which protects against anthrax infection, prior to the attack, and he attracted the attention of a bloodhound trained to react to the anthrax letters. The FBI surveillance agents followed him so closely that one FBI tail car actually ran over his foot. The FBI searched his home, property, girlfriend’s apartment, and workplaces, after the media was alerted. As a result, Hatfill lost his job, consulting contracts, and contact with many associates.” Even isolated, Hatfill did not break under the pressure. Instead, he sued that the FBI had pursued him for five years without a “scintilla of evidence,” leading the Department of Justice to exonerate him and pay him $5.82 million in August 2008.”
I realize Dr. Hatfill forged his PhD diploma. And I realize that Dr. Ivins, like most men, viewed pornography, used screen names, and had crushes on younger, beautiful and accomplished women. And got depressed, for example, when those women did not return his earnest friendship. Indeed, Dr. Ivins admits to have pulled some mean, wholly inappropriate pranks a quarter century ago such as forging a letter to the editor about student hazing and stealing a book from a sorority house.
I defer to the hardworking investigators who viewed those elements as part of a theory of the crime.
Those investigators cannot be faulted if information was kept from them by others.
GAO should ask each investigator what, if any documents, did they not know about in forming their conclusions. For example, did they know about Dr. Ivins’ work with the challenge relating to the 52 rabbits? If not, why not?
Someone played hide-the-ball and the issue is who.
DXer said
Edward Jay Epstein emphasizes dogs rather than rabbits:
“My assessment is that the FBI failed to find the perpetrator of the anthrax attacks. Indeed, it failed twice. Its first wrong man was Dr. Steven J. Hatfill, whose career was ruined by its 24/7 investigation of him; the second wrong man was Dr. Bruce Ivins, who committed suicide under its relentless pressure. In a case such as the anthrax attack, in which the weapon leaves microscopic traces everywhere, the equivalent of Sherlock Holmes’ dog-that-did-not-bark is the conspicuous absence of evidence. The FBI investigation was possibly the most massive in history in terms of expended man-hours. Consider then what evidence the FBI did not find that would have implicated their final suspect, Dr. Ivins.”
DXer said
The case may seem complex but the truth, once understood, seldom is. As to an Ivins Theory, understand that the government’s case was based on a claim of unexplained time in the lab. Now go to the Amerithrax Investigative Summary and take note that the word “rabbits” nowhere appears. Who is responsible for stuffing 52 rabbits down into the hat to make disappear? Why didn’t McClatchy, ProPublica and Frontine ask AUSA Lieber the hard questions? I understand that is difficult to sort through the different rabbit experiments over the months and years. But how hard would it have been to take the early October 2001 email by Bruce reporting on the number of rabbits that had died in the past 3 days and ask Rachel about it on film? The outlets did brilliant and effective work on the lyophilizer issue but have not yet worked the rabbit issue up. I realize they handle countless important stories and their reporters are brilliant and hardworking. But if not them, then it is up to some other top media organization to hit the ball out of the park.
DXer said
There are many experts (both at USAMRIID and elsewhere) who can walk through the details confirmed by the documents relating to the rabbits — and who can address, more generally, what is involved in the uploaded protocols.
see, e.g.,
Infect Immun. 2013 Jan 28. [Epub ahead of print]
Pathology and Pathophysiology of Inhalational Anthrax in a Guinea Pig Model.
Savransky V, Sanford DC, Syar E, Austin JL, Tordoff KP, Anderson MS, Stark GV, Barnewall RE, Briscoe CM, Lemiale-Biérinx L, Park S, Ionin B, Skiadopoulos MH.
Source
Emergent BioSolutions Inc., Gaithersburg, MD.
Abstract
Non-human primates (NHP) and rabbits are the most commonly used animal models for evaluating efficacy of medical countermeasures against anthrax in support of licensure under the FDA’s “Animal Rule.” However, a need for an alternative animal model may arise in certain cases. Development of such an alternative model requires a thorough understanding of the course and manifestation of experimental anthrax disease induced under controlled conditions in the proposed animal species. The guinea pig, which has been used extensively for anthrax pathogenesis studies and anthrax vaccine potency testing, is a good candidate for such alternative model. This study was aimed at determining the median lethal dose (LD(50)) of the Bacillus anthracis Ames strain in guinea pigs and investigating natural history, pathophysiology, and pathology of inhalation anthrax in this animal model following nose-only aerosol exposure. The inhaled LD(50) of aerosolized Ames strain spores in guinea pigs was determined to be 5.0×10(4) spores. Aerosol challenge of guinea pigs resulted in inhalational anthrax with death occurring between 46 and 71 hours post-challenge. The first clinical signs appeared as early as 36 hours post-challenge. Cardiovascular function declined starting at 20 hours post-exposure. Hematogenous dissemination of bacteria was observed microscopically in multiple organs and tissues as early as 24 hours post-challenge. Other histopathologic findings typical of disseminated anthrax infection included suppurative (heterophilic) inflammation, edema, fibrin, necrosis, and/or hemorrhage in the spleen, lungs, and regional lymph nodes, and lymphocyte depletion and/or lymphocytolysis in the spleen and lymph nodes. The study demonstrated that the course of inhalation anthrax disease and the resulting pathology in guinea pigs are similar to those seen in rabbits and NHPs as well as in humans.
Anonymous said
First off the animal checks do take longer than a few minutes even if you are already in the B3 suite not just in USAMRIID; especially if you are required to collect samples. So that time is not absurb. Some of the in and out in short times is close checks when animals are expected to pass and the time checks were for exact as possible times. I know there was a rabbit study going on at that particular weekend because he was doing the time checks for me the weekend in question. We (many at USAMRIID to include myself) have give the information and proof, however it is simply left out. There was no powder made in B3, there was no equipment that could do it. The only place something of that concentration could be made at was out in Dugway. When the powder was reconstituted it matched what was sent prior to 2001 by Dugway but was completely removed from USAMRIID during one of the “visits”.
DXer said
Although the case may seem complex, once stripped of baseless conjecture and factually unsupported claims, the relevant questions are quite simple. Rachel, why didn’t you mention or discuss the work with the 52 rabbits in your Amerithrax Investigative Summary?
Is it that you did not know of it?
DXer said
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/live-pigs-blasted-with-explosives-and-monkeys-infected-with-anthrax-during-cruel-experiments-8352792.html
Live pigs ‘blasted with explosives and monkeys infected with anthrax during cruel experiments’
JOHN VON RADOWITZ MONDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2012
In a further experiment, funded by the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), marmosets were infected with anthrax before being treated with an antibiotic, it was alleged. Four animals died and those still alive at the end of the study were killed and dissected, it was claimed.
This study was published in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents last year. There were no reports of pain relief or other supportive measures and the monkeys must have “suffered immensely” before experiencing a painful death, said the BUAV.
Comment:
The article states:
“Ethical approval
All animal studies were carried out in accordance with the Scientific Procedures Act of 1986 and the Codes of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals used in Scientific Procedures 1989. Work was authorised by a Home Office Project Licence.”
The authors can explain what was involve under those cited procedures. Dr. Norm Covert was on the committee that reviewed the protocols that had to be followed by Dr. Ivins and his colleagues. Quite a lot of good faith, scrupulous effort went into complying with the evolving standards relating to the care (and avoiding suffering) by animals. It is what necessitated the night checks. If AUSA Lieber had understood that there were required night checks and credited Mara Linscott’s statement that it was a one person job that would take a couple of hours — at least disclosed the 302 statement and the documents relating to the rabbit study — then the star of her dog and pony show known as an “Ivins Theory” would have would have met an early and painless demise.
DXer said
GAO: Who at the DOJ and FBI instructed J.P. to pull emails from Batch 35 (produced 8/22/2010) showing what Dr. Ivins was doing in the lab? (such as a 9/26/2001 email 9:57 PM)?
DXer said
In Department of Justice attorney Grafft’s 2012 “Analysis of the Search Warrants of the Amerithrax Investigation,” she writes:
“bullet point one describes the comprehensive seizure of all “laboratory equipment used in the production/replication of biological threat equipment used in the production/replication of biological threat agents, including, but not limited to… live animals.” While such language no doubt prohibited the seizure of the Ivins family dog, if Ivins possessed several mice in his office, such live animals might b e considered a proper seizure under this search warrant directive.”
Do you have any doubt that the DOJ and FBI seized lots of documents relating to Dr. Ivins research with the rabbits — and just failed to disclose them or mention them in their Investigative Summary? At the same time the FBI and DOJ based their case against Dr. Ivins on the claim that he had no reason to be in the lab. Their whole theory was based on a crock and lie.
Who is accountable at the DOJ and FBI? As “Fast and Furious” and 911 demonstrate, no one ever is.