New York City is under attack. In recent months hundreds of New Yorkers have been exposed to anthrax bacteria. Those exposed to the respiratory form of this disease have died. Those exposed to the cutaneous form of the disease have been treated with the antibiotic cipro. A worker in the produce department of the Food Mart located on 34^th Street was rushed to the nearest hospital early this morning where he died shortly after. A brown powder residue was discovered in the produce ( fruit and vegetable) meat and dairy sections of the supermarket and on hand written letters addressed to the owner and manager of the store.

You work in the Medical Examiner's Office. The major of the New York City asks you to serve on a specially formulated Mayor's Advisory Committee to link the suspect(s) to the crime scene and help determine what can be done about this health disaster in New York City.

You and your class will first work as a forensic team to :

• Examine how to safely collect and process the physical evidence related to this case.
• Determine the origin of the microorganism and the potential health hazards of the microorganism
• Link suspect(s) to the crime
• Examine the presently existing policy and suggest new policy, if necessary.

To examine the physical evidence in this case and identify the suspect(s) you and your class will work as a forensic team. Each team will :

• Select the division of the crime lab you would like to work in.
• Refer to some of the suggested web sites listed in the resources at the end of this web quest and/or use search engines to locate additional references. To identify the equipment and tests you need to perform in the division of the crime lab you have selected to identify the origin of the microorganism(s)

• Examine the physical evidence from the perspective of the expert you have selected to determine the origin of the microorganism(s) and the potential health hazards associated with the microorganism(s).
• Research and evaluate the policies that guide forensic investigators at crime scenes and in labs containing potentially infectious materials.
• To work on the specially formulated Mayor’s Advisory Committee aimed at protecting the public's health against these germs you will work in groups of four to five.

• Select the role you want to play on this committee.

• Research why germ warfare is a problem in New York City.

• Statistics
• Case Studies

• Articles By Experts

• Identify the cause(s) of the problem

• Research the current policies that address the problem

• Determine if these policies adequately address the problem, and suggest new policy, if necessary.

Prepare a power Point presentation using the guidelines outlined in the Power Point Presentation section of this web quest. Use graphs, tables, concept maps, illustrations, interviews and experts in the field, etc. to summarize your findings. Be sure to document your work.

Your class will prepare a Power Point presentation in which you should address the following information.

• A clear identification of the problem.
• An explanation of the causes of the problem.
• An explanation of the process your forensic team followed to: safely detect, collect, examine and store the microorganism causing the problem, how to determine the origin of the microorganism and the method used to link suspect with the crime scene.
• An explanation of what a forensic autopsy can reveal about the cause of death, time of death, and circumstances related to the death.
• A forensic pathologists explanation of the harm done by these germs.
• An explanation of how PCR testing can be used to identify victims.
• An explanation of how fingerprints are detected, preserved and identified.
• An explanation of how the source of a letter can be determined.
• An explanation about what forensic investigations of this nature reveal about what we may face in America in coming years.
• An evaluation of the current policy relating to the collection and processing of physical evidence relating to germ warfare.
• Your most effective and feasible policy at the crime scene and in the lab.
• Your most effective and feasible public policy.

For the science behind the crime, search the Internet to find information such as: laboratory protocols and equipment, diagrams, photographs, etc. Also evaluate the results and incorporate this information into your PowerPoint presentation. For the policy decision component of this quest, search the web for pertinent information, including surveys, statistics, case studies, etc. Evaluate the information in relation to the problem, present data to support your position and, if necessary, generate alternate laboratory and public policies you think are most appropriate for missing children in America.

• Develop the appropriate slides for your presentation. For each slide, include a synthesis of the information you collected in a clear and concise manner. Include graphic elements to make visual connections and contribute to the understanding of concepts, ideas and relationships. Be sure to include references that are the source of information that you have collected for your slides and which support your policy decisions.
• Present your slide show to the Forensic Science classes at the Bronx High School of Science.
• Post your slide show on the Forensic Science section of The Bronx High School of Science’s web site,
  www.bxscience.edu (click on Academics, followed by Departments, followed by Biology, followed by Home Page, followed by Forensic Biology, to Web Quest).

• Tips Public Policy Analyst http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/welcome.html

• Recent Anthrax Attacks Statistics hhttp://www.intellnet.org/news/?type=category&value=Biological%20Warfare

• Link to Web Sites Dealing with Bio-terrorism

http://www.slu.edu/colleges/sph/bioterrorism/internet/government.htm

• Biological Warfare Defense

www.bio.org/er/biowarfare.asp

• ‘Two Pakistanis linked to Papers on anthrax weapons’

• ‘The 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons convention’ (BWC)

Statistics / Case Studies

• Case Studies, Official Remarks

• Case History of an Anthrax Outbreak in 1999

• Recent Anthrax Attacks:

• Bio terrorism Web Sites:

• -Interview with William Broad, Expert on Bio-Terror

• Links: Different Ways of Containing Anthrax, Bio-Terror Weapons, A History of Anthrax Cases, Recent Outbreaks

• -Video "What is germ warfare?"

• Bio-Terrorism

• The History of Bio-Terrorism

• Key Points in the History of Biological Warfare

www.mi.infn.it/~landnet/Biosec/labanca.pdf

• Excerpt from Battlefield of the Future 21st Century Warfare Issues
  chp 9 by Lt Col Robert P. Kadlec, MD, USAF : (starting in WWII) Methods of Detecting Biological Agents, Advances in Medical Diagnosis, Possible Treatment, History of Occurrences (Starting in World War II).

• Different Types of Anthrax (Symptoms, Transmutability,
  Treatment)

• Investigation of Anthrax Associated with Intentional
  Exposure and Interim Public Health Guidelines, October 2001

• Laboratory Criteria for Diagnosis of Anthrax,
  Definition of a Confirmed Case of Anthrax, Definition of a Suspected Case ,
  Types of Anthrax, Recommendations for Treatment After Exposure

http://www.slu.edu/colleges/sph/bioterrorism/bibliography/1980.htm

• 'Germs' Paints Chilling Portrait of Biological Warfare

www.usatoday.com/life/enter/books/2001-10-04-germ.htm

• FBI – National Laboratory Response Network For Bio-terrorism

http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/labannual00.pdf

• Carpenter’s forensic science resources

• University of Texas Health Center - Search for Bio-terrorism

• Bacteria and Crime... Weapons of Choice ( US News online)
  http://www.bacteriamuseum.org/niches/features/crime.shtml

• Virulence Detection

http://www.llnl.gov/str/Weinstein.html

• EMS Personnel ... Biological Detection
  
  http://www.ndpo.gov/beacon/2000/mar2000.pdf

• Countering Bio-terrorism + $6.5 million

• Countering Bio-terrorism

http://www.crimelibrary.com/forensics/art/2.htm

• DNA Forensic Analysis

• What is Forensics Pathology?

• When is Forensic Pathology in Order?

• Clinical Forensic Pathology

• Autopsy

• Autopsy: How It Is Done

• Pictures of an Autopsy:

• Autopsy What Does It Do?

• Autopsy Branch of the CDC

• Basics of DNA Fingerprinting

• Identification, Symptoms, and Laboratory Detection and Analysis of Anthrax

• DNA Analysis and Testing Techniques

• DNA Structure, Testing, and Uses

• Statement on DNA Sampling: Control and Access

• DNA Structure, Testing, Uses, and Analysis

• Genetic Testing and Genetic screening

• The New York State Police Forensic Science Laboratory System

• Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists (NEAFS)

• American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)

• American Board of Criminalistics (ABC)

• American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD)

• DNA Learning Center (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

www.cshl.org

• US Department Of State Web Site

http://www.state.gov/s/ct/

• Response of Government to Present Threat

• Link to National Domestic Preparedness

http://www.ndpo.gov/

• U.S. Rejects Germ Warfare Inspections

http://www.intellnet.org/news/2001/07/22/5931-1.html

• Proposed Vaccinations and Government’s Dealing with Production

• FBI Web Site with Links to Anthrax Scare

http://www.fbi.gov/homepage.htm

• FBI : Counterterrorism Division links to National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC) and the National Domestic Preparedness Office (NDPO)

http://www.fbi.gov/hq.htm#cd

• Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare

www.aafp.org/policy/issues/n5.html

• FBI- Policy with Terrorism
  http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/backissu/july1999/murchltr.htm
• Government Policies and Forensic Science Policies

http://srpub.phrma.org/bwc.news.html

• Federal Funding – Bio-terrorism

• Midwest Forensic Resource Center - Laboratory Division Director of Science and Technology, told the Audience of Forensics Specialists, "We are committed ... in the event of bio-terrorism attacks. ...

http://www.external.ameslab.gov/news/insider6-01forensics.htm

• VA Institute of Forensic Science & Medicine; Bio-terrorism Preparedness & Response
  
  http://www.publicsafety.state.va.us/sections/links/
• Governor Gilmore’s VDH’s Bio-terrorism Preparedness and Response Program

• Bio-weapons News--- Government Policies, Forensic Science Policies, etc.

• President Bush’s Unilateral Germ Warfare Policy

• FAQ’s concerning what would occur if a terrorist attack were to occur, and what the government would do. (Includes Links to Answers)

• . Good Neighbor Policy in controlling Germ Warfare with the Help of Other Countries.

• National Domestic Preparedness

• U.S. Rejects Germ Warfare Inspections

• Proposed Vaccinations and Government’s Dealing with Production

• Biological Warfare Defense

www.bio.org/er/biowarfare.asp

• Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare -- AAFP Policies on ...

www.aafp.org/policy/issues/n5.html

• International Science, The Policies

www.laskerfoundation.org/comment/13/comm2.html

• Policies

www.anthrax.osd.mil/Site_Files/policies/INDEXpolicies/policies.htm

• Alta Vista

• Excite

www.excite.com

• ERIC

www.ERIC.com

• Entire Web

www.entireweb.com

• Google

www.google.com

• San Diego State University Library

www.SanDiegoStateUniversity/Library.com

• Specialized Search Engines

www.SpecializedSearchEngines.com

• Yahoo

www.Yahoo.com

• Clip Art

www.ArtClipArt.com

Your grade will be determined according to the following scale:

• Facts and information from multiple internet sources 1 2 3 4 5
• Synthesis of information from multiple references 1 2 3 4 5
• Analysis of information 1 2 3 4 5
• Conclusions drawn from the results of the investigation 1 2 3 4 5
• Written clearly and succinctly 1 2 3 4 5
• Grammar 1 2 3 4 5
• Understanding of scientific concepts 1 2 3 4 5
• Understanding of public policy 1 2 3 4 5
• Policy evaluation and design 1 2 3 4 5
• Bibliography 1 2 3 4 5

• State the purpose for your project 1 2 3 4 5
• Supporting information 1 2 3 4 5
• Presents information clearly and succinctly 1 2 3 4 5
• Clarity of concepts 1 2 3 4 5
• Effective use of PowerPoint slides 1 2 3 4 5
• How well presenter held the audience’s attention 1 2 3 4 5
• The organization of facts and information 1 2 3 4 5
• Public policy 1 2 3 4 5
• Policy decisions and solutions 1 2 3 4 5
• Bibliography 1 2 3 4 5

• Ten to fifteen slides 1 2 3 4 5
• Visual impact of slides 1 2 3 4 5
• Easy navigation from slide to slide 1 2 3 4 5
• Use of qualitative and quantitative information 1 2 3 4 5
• Clear and succinct presentation 1 2 3 4 5
• Use of multiple sources 1 2 3 4 5
• Appropriate graphics to illustrate the content
• and conceptual understandings 1 2 3 4 5

• Identification of the problem and the cause of the problem 1 2 3 4 5
• Policy and policy solutions 1 2 3 4 5
• Bibliography 1 2 3 4 5

• Mini research reports collected bimonthly up to and including March 1^st.
• Slide show due April 30th
• Oral presentations for all forensic science classes due on May 1^st.
• PowerPoint presentation posted online May 10^th.

.

1. What government and public policies are applicable to this case?

NBC News – not FDA approved DNA Select the division of the crime lab you would like to work in