Biological Agents

Abstract

Bioterrorism is among the most feared of all crimes. This is understandable given that human history is peppered with descriptions of disease epidemics, which have killed millions of people at a time; plague and smallpox are probably the most notable of all epidemic causing agents. Not surprisingly, these organisms feature high on the list of potential biological agents that could be used for acts of bioterrorism and biocrime. This article examines a range of biological agents that may be used, the technologies available for the detection and identification of bioagents, and the science behind the forensic investigation of such crimes.