May 19: Science of Crime – Recounting the Anthrax Attacks with Author R. Scott Decker
Only seven days after the horrific events of September 11, 2001, a new wave of terror was set in motion when a handful of letters were dropped in the mail. In just over two weeks five people died and 18 were disfigured by the unlikely inhalation of a deadly white powder.
The Anthrax Attacks represented the first time sophisticated biological weaponry was unleashed within the United States and precipitated the largest investigation in FBI history.
On September 12, 2001, R. Scott Decker had led an FBI team of hazmat specialists into New York City’s Ground Zero. He now joined the Amerithrax Task Force to tackle the new anthrax threat.
Decker will be here at The Mob Museum to recount his experience with the Anthrax Attacks, the innovative new science of microbial forensics that was developed after traditional methods failed, and the shocking results the FBI ultimately uncovered.
The discussion with R. Scott Decker will cover:
- The Anthrax Terror that all too quickly followed the horrors of 9/11
- The Amerithrax Task Force and the evolution of forensics in the FBI
- FBI agents’ frantic pursuit of an unexpected terrorist with a diabolical new weapon
- Decker’s insider memoir of leads and misleads that opened the door to a whole new area of forensics investigation
In this Mob Museum presentation, author R. Scott Decker will describe how the investigation was conducted, highlight turning points in the search, and step you through his own experience of the race against terror to the final revelation of the ultimate insider threat.