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Anthrax Letter Writer Profile
FBI Home Page ^ | FBI, Critical Incident Response Group

Posted on 11/09/2001 1:33:50 PM PST by 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.


TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events
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To: Fearless Flyers
You just implicated half of South Carolina, and possibly all of Tenn.
221 posted on 11/10/2001 12:35:07 AM PST by snodog
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Comment #222 Removed by Moderator

To: FITZ
Maybe they did it as a trick, sometimes a criminal actually doesn't want someone else to get "the credit" for doing what he did. Chances are the guy behind this thinks he's brilliant (a brilliant Arab) and will put out a few hints to make sure the wrong people aren't given the credit.

Oooh, I like that idea. In fact, it's better than one I had last night. I was thinking maybe the FBI already knew who it was and was still in the evidence-gathering mode, hoping that more evidence would come from the public who recognized him after seeing this.

223 posted on 11/10/2001 5:37:02 AM PST by Nita Nupress
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To: Fearless Flyers
The FBI profilers are makinng their assessment based on a statistic of one--the Unabomber.

If they nab this guy, chances are he will be distinctively different than the Unabomber. Then they will statistics of two. It will absolutely blow their minds.

224 posted on 11/10/2001 6:12:39 AM PST by yikes
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To: spunkets
I think the guy hates the Enquirer group

ROUND UP THE USUAL SUSPECTS

No, that's not Calista Flockhart!


225 posted on 11/10/2001 6:41:42 AM PST by hispanarepublicana
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To: The Bolt
B U M P for this one. I have thought this from the lack of "repeat" attacks.

Problem, the Feds DON'T KNOW they have this person in custody. They may suspect, they may have this person held on some visa violation or traffic warrants or some other BS, but they DONT KNOW! Communications between Law enforcement/courts/correctional facilities are, for the most part, lousy.

Part of the reason is informational privacy. My wife works for the court system, and they can only get info on persons who are in the exact particular court she works for. All other info, while in a database, is blocked. There have been many instances where constables/police/sheriffs were searching for an individual who had warrants, and the person turns up, eventually, already incarcerated. Not uncommon.

I would, however like to know two things. One, where is the mutilated mail which infected the DC postal worker who died after that eerie 911 call. None of the envelopes shown look mutilated, yet this person says there was a mutilated envelope caught in a sorting machine. Given the outcome, I consider the 911 phonecall a "dying declaration", and have no reason to suspect the details about the infection source. To whom was it addressed? Where is it now? I would very much like to see THAT particular envelope. Second, I believe the Feebs are making too much of the writing alone as a profiling tool. The people who planned this act of war, both this, and 9/11 are not stupid. They had IMHO, these letters ready to go prior to 9/11. Deliberate misleading lettering would not be lost on them. Why all of a sudden this "standard" profile which looks suspiciously like a template (male, loner, some education, etc etc.) The FBI can't keep their own stories straight which they are releasing from week to week. In the same line of reasoning, why did they issue that "please help us" statement, then this generic profile? Doesn't make sense to me.

Comments, as always, are appreciated and welcomed.

Keep the Faith for Freedom

MAY GOD BLESS AND PROTECT THIS HONORABLE REPUBLIC

Greg

226 posted on 11/10/2001 8:17:03 AM PST by gwmoore
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To: Nita Nupress; gumbo; nocomad; browardchad; amom; Yellow Rose of Texas; 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub
My addition to the FBI profile for the discussion:

The perp is here on a student VISA. He is Islamic and Middle Eastern. He may be a member of Al Queda.

He was given anthrax and perhaps more biochems – of various grades. They may have been made in Iraq – they may have been made here. He did not develop them himself. He knows lab procedures.

He is fairly diligent in handling the anthrax, but he is not perfect. He knows Dr. Malik, chairman of the Islamic Society of NJ. He may work with him. He’s been to the doctor’s office at 1542 Kuser Road in Trenton NJ. While there he accidentally infected the accountant next door at Civale Silvestri & Alfieri CPA, 1540 Kuser Road.

Likewise, he accidentally infected the lady in New York. He did not go there by subway – he drove in. The car he used is most likely still contaminated. He may have rolled down a window or opened a door at just the wrong time for Nancy.

He is a member or attendee of The Islamic Society of Central Jersey. He has written many letters to them; he knows the zip code by heart. Although he gave a different town name on the return address (Franklin Park) – he automatically used the zip code he knew for that area. But the zip code does not go with Franklin park.

There are probably canceled checks or correspondence at the Islamic Society of NJ that can be matched to his handwriting.

He is a member of Islamic student associations. He may have attended or be in association with a student at ETSU which is near an elementary school named “Greendale.” He didn’t grab that name out of the air – neither brook nor dale would be common words to him.

If he is Al Queda, he may present himself secular – going to bars, joining clubs, protesting the terrorists, etc.

He may be dead or missing.


227 posted on 11/10/2001 8:54:40 AM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: Alamo-Girl
Thanks much, Alamo-Girl. As usual, a stellar job. MUCH better than the "generic profile template 1" which was issued by the FBI ;-) BTW, do you have any theories on the "mutilated letter". This is bothering me as a HUGE loose end. We have 2 postal workers dead from Anthrax. One calls 911, basically at death's door, and makes a recorded statement about events at the postal facility. This, to me is a "dying declaration" and therefore, is stipulated as truth. Where is that letter? To whom was it addressed? Is there any message or handwriting which can be compared. Incidentally, this "mutilated letter", according to the call had a large amount of material. This being so, we are looking at mass cross-contamination of everything processed on that same machine. I don't know why I feel that this is somehow the "Rosetta Stone" of this whole incident, but I do. Find that letter, and we will get some answers.

Keep the Faith for Freedom

MAY GOD BLESS AND PROTECT THIS HONORABLE REPUBLIC

Greg

228 posted on 11/10/2001 9:09:13 AM PST by gwmoore
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To: nocomad
It would be easy to make that stuff if a manual existed. I don't think one does. It requires collection of info from, professional journals and texts from many disciplines. The concepts and techniques are familiar in a number of industries, but making this slime requires that someone develope the manual on their own. Would your friend have been able to conceptualize and construct his operation if there were no how to manuals. That manual took many man hours and a lot of knowledge and understanding to make.

The equipment they list is a likely minimum that someone knowing the perp would notice. Mentioning the other equipment would only confuse the folks they're looking for tips from. The fellows that work with the guy are likely to recognize the equipment on their own.

NJ is loaded with chemical type operations. The FBI has to work through all the fog to be able find a needle in a haystack. They are definitely going to need the publics help to lead them to the perp quickly. I think they ought to publish some of the micrographs and surface analysis results they have. Doing that, and labeling this guy as an introverted authoritarian, would greatly enhance the likelihood of recognition by the perps peers.

229 posted on 11/10/2001 9:14:41 AM PST by spunkets
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To: Alamo-Girl
Thanks. Excellent. I have a few hours. :-)
230 posted on 11/10/2001 9:19:05 AM PST by amom
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To: hispanarepublicana
"I think the guy hates the Enquirer group"

Actually I don't have a clue what he thinks about it. That was just an eruption from my brain about what I think of it. LOL! The only important part is that he recognizes it's readership.

231 posted on 11/10/2001 9:32:48 AM PST by spunkets
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To: gwmoore
Thank you so very much for the kudos!!!

I strongly suspect that if there were more anthrax in the mutilated letter, the cross contamination would have been so large that we would be seeing a wave of new infections.

On the other hand, it may have been a much lesser grade of anthrax and thus did not spread as easily or effectively.

232 posted on 11/10/2001 9:42:00 AM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: amom
Thank you so very much, amom!!! I was hoping you'd have a chance to do some of your outstanding research on the profile. I wish I could do more today, but my company is due any minute now. sigh...
233 posted on 11/10/2001 9:44:25 AM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: gwmoore
I have read a lot about how we should not have been in the Gulf War or that we didn't finish the job. Subsequently, we knew how Clinton did nothing about the WTC bombing in '93, and other terrorist attacks. He pulled out of the Iraq inspections. Hearing about how entrenched the jihad had become here, sufficiently enough to know how easy the attack would be on us, I agree that we cannot overlook that the anthrax poisonings come from this source. Is the government being forthright? I do not think so.

At this point, I do not belive this is Vietnam II. In my studies, I do understand how our men were left high and dry by the government. Most of the military personnel are saying that we will not commit ground troops to the extent we did in Vietnam. In this 9-11 attack, I thought we could not declare war since the insurance companies would then not have to pay.

President Bush's administration has an undaunting job, and at least the American people are behind him, despite the mainstream media's attempt to undermine him every step of the way. I pray you are wrong.

234 posted on 11/10/2001 9:45:02 AM PST by Angelique
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To: Owen
...Perhaps because it occurred only a mile or so from where the hijackers lived? ...There is empire protecting going on here.

Agreed. But that won't (will not) stop them from finding a Jewel in the haystack.

By the way, if Antrax is the choice of weapon of a male, what is the female choice of weapon?

235 posted on 11/10/2001 10:18:51 AM PST by Jack Barbara
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To: Alamo-Girl
Good work AG! FYI, Saddam Hussein purchased his first Anthrax through a mail order catalogue of a US company.
236 posted on 11/10/2001 10:18:54 AM PST by Angelique
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To: FITZ
Sometimes a criminal actually doesn't want someone else to get "the credit" for doing what he did. Chances are the guy behind this thinks he's brilliant (a brilliant Arab) and will put out a few hints to make sure the wrong people aren't given the credit.

Good thinking. Maybe he doesn't want to be thought of as an American loner either, since he pictures himself as part of a host of jihadists.

237 posted on 11/10/2001 11:05:07 AM PST by syriacus
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To: Alamo-Girl
He is a member or attendee of The Islamic Society of Central Jersey. He has written many letters to them; he knows the zip code by heart.

Maybe he fixes their computers or does their newsletter.

238 posted on 11/10/2001 11:09:36 AM PST by syriacus
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To: gwmoore
They had IMHO, these letters ready to go prior to 9/11. Deliberate misleading lettering would not be lost on them. Why all of a sudden this "standard" profile which looks suspiciously like a template (male, loner, some education, etc etc.)

I agree. I even think Atta may have had the anthrax letters ready for someone else to mail for him. Maybe he didn't actually brew the anthrax himself. Maybe some foreign student resident at one of the medical centers between Maine and NJ brewed it. Atta supposedly put a lot of miles on his rented car before 9/11.

We are being told the mailer probably had the anthrax for some time and was waiting for something like 9/11 to occur. I can't see someone waiting like that unless they KNEW 9/11 was going to happen.

If I were an angry, non-Muslim, non-Arabic, American, loner male who had a store of anthrax I wouldn't wait for planes to be flown into a building before I mailed it.

239 posted on 11/10/2001 11:25:14 AM PST by syriacus
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To: 88keys
Did I read, hear, or only imagine a report of the "profile" citing "English as a second language"?! I could swear I heard that, but I can't source it...so frustrating, as I'm either on to something I can't prove, or I'm just (temporarily) losing it!!

You aren't losing it.

Washington Post Oct 26 FBI and CIA Suspect Domestic Extremists
One official said the only significant clue raising the possibility of foreign terrorist involvement is the conclusion of FBI behavioral scientists, who believe that whoever wrote the three letters delivered to Daschle, NBC News and the New York Post did not learn English as a first language.

240 posted on 11/10/2001 11:58:32 AM PST by syriacus
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