Role of law enforcement response and microbial forensics in investigation of bioterrorism.

ABSTRACT: The risk and threat of bioterrorism and biocrime have become a large concern and challenge for governments and society to enhance biosecurity. Law enforcement plays an important role in assessing and investigating activities involved in an event of bioterrorism or biocrime. Key to a successful biosecurity program is increased awareness and early detection of threats facilitated by an integrated network of responsibilities and capabilities from government, academic, private, and public assets. To support an investigation, microbial forensic sciences are employed to analyze and characterize forensic evidence with the goal of attribution or crime scene reconstruction. Two different molecular biology-based assays--real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and repetitive element PCR--are descri

SUBMITTER: Budowle B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2080552 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature