Doctors Told How to Help ID Bioterrorists

Doctors are often advised to be alert for bioterrorism, but until now they’ve lacked advice on how to help identify the people responsible for such acts.

A team of scientists has published the first major guidance aimed at physicians who wish to assist law enforcement in the investigation of a biocrime.

Dr. Bruce Budowle of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Dr. Steven Schutzer of the New Jersey Medical School, and Dr. Ronald Atlas of the University of Louisville wrote the guidance to provide physicians with an overview of the new field of microbial forensics.

The guidelines advise physicians to collect forensic evidence much in the same way they collect such evidence in cases of sexual assault, and to document details of the patient’s medical history and physical exam carefully.

Physicians can ultimately serve their patients by acting, in the traditional role, as a healer, say the authors, and by working with public health and law enforcement entities to help prevent further attacks and to achieve justice.

The guidance is published online in the journal PLoS Medicine.