Anthrax Letter Writer Profile

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[Fearless Flyers]

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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.

[Sungirl]

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.

WOW....Do they know the guy or what??

[Revolting cat!]

Why in the world do you have such a negative nick.

Uhm... I dunno. Because it's Friday? Because I like to see questions end with a question mark? Or is it because I'm not a sun girl?

(Do you think that the scenario I propose - a deliberately misleading piece of evidence and a self-interested response to such possibility - should not be considered? Why not?)

[muawiyah]

Again, there were no anthrax attacks made on abortion mills - never has been.

[looois]

Getting serious about this...it seems to trace back to the election. I hate to say it, but the guy very well could be right-wing and really got mad at the Florida election mess, wanting Bush to be declared winner on election night. He got frustrated as the Florida thing went on and on. Might have lived in Boca Raton during election. Boca Raton was where some of the ballots were in question. Was Daschle ever there? I thought he went to Tallahasee only. Could have been watching returns on NBC and got upset with Brokaw. It just looks like, seeing where the Anthrax scares are, that he flipped out over the election stuff.

[prisoner6]

A mature male, educated loner, with grievance against the government, who would take precautions to protect him self.

HEY! QUIT TALKING ABOUT ME!

Sorry could not make the letters slant downhill.

I'm kidding! REALLY!

Is Carnivore still checking us out?

prisoner6

[Sungirl]

I said the same thing....if I was to write such a damning letter like that...I would certainly change everything I could think of so it woldn't be traced to me!! The person obviously went through the trouble of avoiding fingerprints on it...(s)he's not stupid.

[Sungirl]

C'mon...you peeked at my post!

[Yougottabekidding]

So, DOES ANYONE BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS MANAGED TO INFECT PEOPLE IN RUSSIA, FRANCE, GERMANY...WITH ANTHRAX?

[DonPaulJones]

"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.

Questions: How long (I have no idea, my last science class was in 1985) does it take to develop the anthrax from the grade in the first two letters to the grade in the third letter? Level of increased or sophisticated training necessary to accomplish this increased potency and transmitability? A time line may just show that there are two distinct entities or individuals doing this... Yet they say there is only one? Hmmm.

[Asmodeus]

[Revolting cat!]

RE: # 46

Then we agree. Sorry if I offended you...

[Kermit the Frog Does theWatusi]

* may be living in a remote moutain cave with other fantasy-prone, physically unattractive schizoid men

* exhibits sudden emotional outbursts of ranting peppered with long-winded, rambling, citations from The Koran

* is often seen with an oily towel on his head

[Chad Fairbanks]

Who writes "09"????

I do, but I use "/" and not "-"... of course, sometimes if I'm in a weird mood, I'll write it like "dd mmm yyyy", where "mmm" is the three letter abbrev. for whatever month it is ;0)

[Fearless Flyers]

I think you should shout louder.

Wasn't there a story last night about Mr. Ascroft wanting to reorganize the FBI and Justice Department? I think he wants the Attorney General to have more oversight.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

How YOU can assist/support HOMELAND DEFENSE
17yrs old and up, no upper age limit. Something for everyone to do


FBI Website

FBI Most Wanted Terrorists Page With Pictures

Click Here To Report Suspicious Activity to the FBI

Call the FBI Toll Free at 1-866-483-5137 or your local law enforcement agency
if you see or hear anything that threatens our national security.

America's Most Wanted website

The Secretary of State designates Foreign Terrorist Organizations

The US State Department Rewards for Justice Program
was established by the 1984 Act to Combat International Terrorism, Public Law 98-533.
Under the Rewards Program, cooperating individuals and their immediate family members
may be eligible for relocation to the United States or elsewhere,
and they are assured complete confidentiality.
Rewards, totaling millions of dollars, have been paid in dozens of cases.
Innocent lives have been saved and terrorists put behind bars.

[justa-hairyape]

Notice that Networks spoke of a non-arabic (angry White) person, but FBI says no such thing.

They probably also assume that the angry white man who wrote these letters had the first name of 'Allah'.

[Ironword]

First, we have to get the morons out of the FBI. The word should have been "dispersed" rather than "Disbursed."

Ha, pathetic, isn't it?

[syriacus]

Yes, who writes "09"? Well, for starters, the clerks at "7-11" do. Also most cab drivers when they fill out their reports on fares for the local regulatory authority do so.

Good point. And... which immigrants like to manage 7-11's and drive cabs (or do both, like that guy in Chicago)?

I think that someone from another country, who was used to writing the date as DD-MM-YY might chose to still write MM-DD-YY with a zero added at the beginning for months with 1 digit.

A question for the FBI: Why wouldn't an angry, native-born, lone scientist use a computer to write his note? If he were smart enough to imitate a medically-savvy Arabic letter writer he would be smart enough to know that Arabic letter writer would probably have a computer.

I think Atta wrote the notes and passed them to someone else to mail. He was angry and sweaty.

[onyx]

BUMP for tonight's read.

[NixNatAVanG InDaBurgh]

In Letters #2 and #3, the emboldened letters from the bottom up read, ATTA ATT. The shape of the emboldenments seem to indicate the kind of Calligraphy a cleric uses when printing theological directives or documents. In Arabic as well as Hebrew, writing, as if you were writing a letter to a family member, is completely different in style than the kind of block print used in Hebrew and Arabic texts. Both are written from right to left which looks like the writer of letter #2 had a major problem with. But the writer of #1 had straight clean lines, and gentler touch, and seemed much more familiar with writing in English. If I had to throw down the gauntlet, I would bet that 2 was, in fact, printed by a cleric and rather than struggle with it again, it was copied. But the ATTA ATT is unmistakeable. There are other things worth noticing. The arrangement of the numbers in the dates, for instance. Someone used to writing from right to left would have the rear 1 on the 11 higher than the first 1. The English writer has it larger going from left to right.