LISTEN: Steve Engelberg on the 2001 Anthrax Attacks — ProPublica

LISTEN: Steve Engelberg on the 2001 Anthrax Attacks

Oct. 28, 2011, 4:20 p.m. EDT

Last Friday, ProPublica's managing editor Stephen Engelberg was on NPR's Science Friday to talk about the 2001 anthrax attacks and the FBI's investigation to find the perpetrator.

In the segment, Engelberg and his fellow guests examined the scientific evidence of the case and questioned whether it was conclusive enough to hold up in court.

"What our investigation found was that as the case was built, they became less and less interested in doing things that might undermine the case," Engelberg said. "...My guess, and here it's just a guess, is that they didn't want to ask a question they didn't have the answer to. They were afraid it would show something unexpected. And I'd think for scientists, that's exactly what you'd want to do -- is find something unexpected."

The case has since been closed with Army microbiologist Bruce Ivins -- who committed suicide in 2008 -- pinned as the man behind the plot. The FBI still insists it nabbed the right man.

Listen to his interview below. You can also read the FBI's recent response to our anthrax series.

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