Anthrax Letter Writer Profile

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[Fearless Flyers]

This profile was reached directly from the FBI Home Page. Do you know this man?

November 9, 2001

Amerithrax Press Briefing

Linguistic/Behavioral Analysis of Anthrax Letters

Critical Incident Response Group

National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime

Today the FBI is releasing linguistic and behavioral assessments of the person responsible for mailing anthrax-laden letters on September 18 and October 9, 2001. We ask the American public to study these assessments and reflect on whether someone of their acquaintance might fit the profile. The safety of the American people is at stake. If you have credible information that might help identify this person, please contact 1-800-CRIMETV (274-6388), use www.ifcc.fbi.gov, or call your local FBI field office.

EVIDENCE DESCRIPTION

Letter 1

One page, hand-printed letter
Transmittal envelope, also similarly hand printed
Addressed to "NBC TV – Tom Brokaw" – No return address
Postmarked Trenton, NJ 09/18/2001 (Tues.)

Letter 2

One page, hand-printed letter
Transmittal envelope, also similarly hand printed
Addressed to "NY Post" – No return address
Postmarked Trenton, NJ 09/18/2001 (Tues.)

Letter 3

One page, hand-printed letter
Transmittal envelope, also similarly hand printed
Addressed to "Senator Daschle – 509 Hart Senate Office Building"
Return address – "4th Grade, Greendale School, Franklin Park, NJ"
Return address zip code – "08852"
Postmarked Trenton, NJ 10/09/2001 (Tues.)

LINGUISTIC ASSESSMENT

It is highly probable, bordering on certainty, that all three letters were authored by the same person. Letters 1 and 2 are identical copies. Letter 3, however, contains a somewhat different message than the other letters. The Anthrax utilized in Letter 3 was much more refined, more potent, and more easily disbursed than letters 1 and 2.

In the past, the public has helped the FBI solve high profile investigations that involved writings by coming forward to identify the author, either by how he wrote or by what he wrote. We are asking for the public's help here again in the same way.

While the text in these letters is limited, there are certain distinctive characteristics in the author's writing style. These same characteristics may be evident in other letters, greeting cards, or envelopes this person has written. We hope someone has received correspondence from this person and will recognize some of these characteristics.

The characteristics include:

1. The author uses dashes ("-") in the writing of the date "09-11-01." Many people use the slash ("/") to separate the day/month/year.

2. In writing the number one, the author chooses to use a formalized, more detailed version. He writes it as "1" instead of the simple vertical line.

3. The author uses the words "can not," when many people prefer to spell it as one word, "cannot."

4. The author writes in all upper case block-style letters. However, the first letter of the first word of each sentence is written in slightly larger upper case lettering. Also, the first letter of all proper nouns (like names) is slightly larger. This is apparently the author's way of indicating a word should be capitalized in upper case lettering. For whatever reason, he may not be comfortable or practiced in writing in lower case lettering.

5. The names and address on each envelope are noticeably tilted on a downward slant from left to right. This may be a characteristic seen on other envelopes he has sent.

6. The envelopes are of the pre-stamped variety, the stamps denoting 34 cents, which are normally available directly from the post office. They are not the traditional business size envelopes, but the smaller size measuring approximately 6 1/4" x 3 ½".

BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT

Based on the selection of Anthrax as the "weapon" of choice by this individual, the offender:

• is likely an adult male.

• if employed, is likely to be in a position requiring little contact with the public, or other employees. He may work in a laboratory. He is apparently comfortable working with an extremely hazardous material. He probably has a scientific background to some extent, or at least a strong interest in science.

• has likely taken appropriate protective steps to ensure his own safety, which may include the use of an Anthrax vaccination or antibiotics.

• has access to a source of Anthrax and possesses knowledge and expertise to refine it.

• possesses or has access to some laboratory equipment; i.e., microscope, glassware, centrifuge, etc.

• has exhibited an organized, rational thought process in furtherance of his criminal behavior.

• has a familiarity, direct or indirect, with the Trenton, NJ, metropolitan area; however, this does not necessarily mean he currently lives in the Trenton, NJ, area.. He is comfortable traveling in and around this locale.

• did not select victims randomly. He made an effort to identify the correct address, including zip code, of each victim and used sufficient postage to ensure proper delivery of the letters. The offender deliberately "selected" NBC News, the New York Post, and the office of Senator Tom Daschle as the targeted victims (and possibly AMI in Florida). These targets are probably very important to the offender. They may have been the focus of previous expressions of contempt which may have been communicated to others, or observed by others.

• is a non-confrontational person, at least in his public life. He lacks the personal skills necessary to confront others. He chooses to confront his problems "long distance" and not face-to-face. He may hold grudges for a long time, vowing that he will get even with "them" one day. There are probably other, earlier examples of this type of behavior. While these earlier incidents were not actual Anthrax mailings, he may have chosen to anonymously harass other individuals or entities that he perceived as having wronged him. He may also have chosen to utilize the mail on those occasions.

• prefers being by himself more often than not. If he is involved in a personal relationship it will likely be of a self serving nature.

Pre-Offense Behavior

• Following the events of September 11, 2001, this person may have become mission oriented in his desire to undertake these Anthrax mailings. He may have become more secretive and exhibited an unusual pattern of activity. Additionally, he may have displayed a passive disinterest in the events which otherwise captivated the Nation. He also may have started taking antibiotics unexpectedly.

Post-Offense Behavior

• He may have exhibited significant behavioral changes at various critical periods of time throughout the course of the Anthrax mailings and related media coverage. These may include the following;

1. Altered physical appearance.
2. Pronounced anxiety.
3. Atypical media interest.
4. Noticeable mood swings.
5. More withdrawn.
6. Unusual level of preoccupation.
7. Unusual absenteeism.
8. Altered sleeping and/or eating habits.

These post-offense behaviors would have been most noticeable during critical times, including but not limited to: the mailing of the letters (09/18/01 and 10/09/01), the death of first Anthrax victim, media reports of each anthrax incident, and especially the deaths and illnesses of non-targeted victims.

AGAIN, IF YOU HAVE CREDIBLE INFORMATION THAT MIGHT HELP IDENTIFY THIS PERSON, PLEASE CONTACT THE FBI IMMEDIATELY AT 1-800-CRIMETV (274-6388), AT WWW.IFCC.FBI.GOV, OR BY CALLING YOUR LOCAL FBI FIELD OFFICE.

[Alamo-Girl]

Ahhhh! Thank you so much for the additional information on the site and your observations about the copy style!

And thank you for the kudos!

[amom]

Morning folks. Nice work. ^5. I'll be around off and on. Gotta spend some time putting the bacon on the table today but will dig around as I can.

[Bernard]

And probably feels betrayed by the entities that the packages were mailed to. I also noticed the part about no slashes - sounds like the writer usese Windows explorer much more than a filing cabinte with drawers and handles.

[gumbo]

I've said this before, but it wasn't picked up on. Most people in the central NJ area would consider the Islamic Center on Route One to be in Franklin Park. It may have a zip code of Monmouth Junction

I'm certainly taking note of that now!

bvw, I was wondering if you knew anything about the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton. amom says Dr. Parvaiz Malik, head of the Islamic Center in Franklin Park, has privileges there? (amom, I'm going to scroll back and read your posts!)

No doubt the hospital has labs on its premises, but I'm thinking that RWJ's Waksman Institute in Piscataway looks interesting as a possible anthrax production site -- this facility has the capacity to produce large quantities of microbial "products" for "applied microbiology" and research.

Here's a map of the Waksman Intitute/Robert Wood Johnson medical school site at Rutgers - the map is schematic, but you can see, Route 1 which connects Trenton/Hamilton, the Islamic Society, and the Rutgers campus runs nearby (and also the Philly-Trenton-Newark-NYC train corridor)...

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you for all the research you've done! I also will be off and on today, catching up after company. Hugs!!!

[Alamo-Girl]

Hmmm ... very interesting, gumbo!!!

The operating theory is that Dr. Malik (being a Pakistani doctor in the USA for many years and head of the Islamic Center) would be kind enough to help out another medical student from Pakistan. Since Dr Malik is listed at the RBJ hospital at Hamilton, it seems he might have put in a good word for the student to get some work on the side.

I imagine the doctor might also (or instead) have helped the student find a lab tech position at one of the biotech research labs a few miles away at the main facilities!!!

Great catch!!!

[amom]

From DocISP.com. Parvaiz Malik, M.D. About the Doctor:

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton, Hamilton, NJ (Attending Plastic Surgeon and Vice Chairman Deparment of Surgery)

[gumbo]

Thanks for the link! I hadn't found that one via a google search!

I notice that site mentions, as part of the doctor's "community service," the Noor-ul-Iman School.

From previous research we've found this school is located INSIDE the Islamic Society of Central NJ (which, as bvw has pointed out, is actually located in Franklin Park, although its zip code is Monmouth Junction 08852).

[amom]

"...Noor-Ul-Iman School
P.O. Box ####
Princeton, NJ
08543
(omitted phone number and personal name here)
Notes: The above is the mailing address. The school itself is
Notes: located in the Islamic Society of Central Jersey:
Notes: Islamic Society of Central Jersey, Route 1 and Stouts Lane,
Notes: New Brunswick, NJ..."
http://www.msa-natl.org/resources/Schools.html#10

[amom]

Are you in the area? This link shows a photo of a neighboring office.
Franklin Lung Alliance Physician
1542 Kuser Road, B7

We have been wondering what it says on the door.

Dr Malik's place is same addy suite B2. My question is, is this the entrance for just suite B7 or are there several offices using one door.

http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/health/hi_files/lung_center/lc_fla/allergy.html

Anyone?

[bvw]

It's a mixed-used professional office complex, single level. It's in a very busy location of Hamilton, everybody comes through there daily.

[bvw]

There are *many* bio-labs in the Central New Jersey area. The Waksamn Institute is one of dozens and dozens. Many pharmeceutical and bio-engineering firms, of all sizes.

[amom]

Thanks for that info.

Do you happen to know if this entrance is just for suite B7 or are there several suites using this one door?

I wish I could read what's on that door. lol

[gumbo]

bvw is probably your best source on FR for local knowledge. aristeides and Veritatis Splendor also know the area a lot better than I. (I live in NJ but don't frequent the Trenton/Princeton/New Brunswick corridor too often.)

[gumbo]

There are *many* bio-labs in the Central New Jersey area. The Waksamn Institute is one of dozens and dozens. Many pharmeceutical and bio-engineering firms, of all sizes.

Yes, no doubt this is true.

My interest in the Waksman Institute perked up when I saw that they actually **mass-produce** microbial "products" for pharmaceutical and research purposes.

IOW, Waksman is a microbe farm. Likely they have exactly the right kinds of equipment for making, oh, a few little items of interest to bio-terrorists.

Not only that, but Waksman is conveniently located right near Route 1 (only 12 miles from the Islamic Society on Route 1) and the NJ Transit Philly-Trenton-Newark-NYC train line.

The train line continues to interest me because Mohammad Pervez, roommate of the "shaved body" hijack suspects, AND roommate of the Greenwood Village possible anthrax suspects, worked at both the Trenton and Newark train stations.

[gumbo]

"...Noor-Ul-Iman School...located in the Islamic Society of Central Jersey, Route 1 and Stouts Lane"

That's the one! Except, it's not in New Brunswick, but in Franklin Park.

[aristeides]

Seems unlikely to me that a researcher could hide it from his colleagues if he was weaponizing anthrax at a lab like that, but I wonder if such a lab would be useful for storing weaponized anthrax received from a source abroad.

[bvw]

When I was six or seven my Dad took me on a tour of the Waksman Institute. It is a part of Rutgers Unversity and named after the 1952 Nobel prize winning discover of the antibacterial streptomycin, Selman Abraham Waksman, who taught at Rutgers from 1918 to 1958.

Still, there are many other labs in Jersey, equally and even better able make bio-concoctions. I don't understand the zooming in on the Waksman Institite. There's one just three miles north of the West Trenton Post Office. It's now Janssen, a division of J&J. Six or seven years ago it was the Moore Company and they did veterinary medicines and vaccines -- so maybe that included anthrax -- don't know. I think Janssen's product mix is different, human drugs now.

[cynwoody]

Hi gumbo. I just found this. Wonder if it has anything good.

Muslim Students' Association of the United States and Canada

thought I'd share. :-)

Seekers of things Islamic may also find the Islamic Finder useful. You can search by zipcode or city name ...

[The Bolt]

Sounds to me like the government (Clinton holdovers) is laying the groundwork to frame someone a la Jewel of the Olympic Park bombing just in time to take the heat off the real culprits or to make a news cycle. Sure hope this is not the case. The perp obviously has some intelligence community type background or help. Not the lone mailer here!