FBI Sets October Deadline in Anthrax Case

July 20, 2004 -- FBI agents returned to search the U.S. Army's biological weapons labs at Fort Detrick, Md., as part of a last-ditch effort by the bureau to make a case in the 2001 anthrax attacks, federal officials tell ABC News.

The FBI has set a self-imposed Oct. 1 deadline for its agents to build a case that will stand up in court, officials said.

After matching the anthrax used in the deadly attacks with anthrax at the Army facility, investigators now hope to further narrow the hunt among the hundreds of researchers who have worked at the Fort Detrick labs, sources tell ABC News.

The labs at Fort Detrick were once the workplace of former government weapons scientist Dr. Steven Hatfill, who has been called a "person of interest" in the case.

Hatfill has repeatedly and strongly denied any involvement.

According to federal officials, the FBI has essentially taken over the so-called "hot zone suites," where work with infectious substances is conducted.

A team of more than 20 agents have been at the base since last Friday, focused on labs in two buildings, officials told ABC News.

"[They're] trying to see if there are any spores in the environment, spores that might have been released while somebody was theoretically making anthrax," said Jerry Hauer, an expert on biological and chemical terrorism and director of public health preparedness at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Close to Making a Case?

Almost three years have lapsed since letters containing anthrax were sent to the U.S. Senate and several news organizations. As a result, five people died and 17 others were poisoned.

Scientists say anthrax spores could survive for as long as 50 years and that this week's search holds the possibility of producing new evidence.

No one has ever been charged in the case.