FBI scientists early on had _ but destroyed _ the unique strain of anthrax used in the deadly 2001 attacks that years later would lead them to Dr. Bruce Ivins, now the government’s top suspect.

FBI Assistant Director Vahid Majidi (vah-HID muh-JI-dee) said the initial anthrax sample that Ivins took from his Army lab in February 2002 and gave investigators did not meet court-ordered conditions for its preparation and collection.

Majidi said the sample kept at the FBI lab was destroyed because the bureau believed it might have been allowed as evidence at trial.

Not until after April 2004 did investigators trace strains of genetically-unique anthrax back to Ivins’ lab at Fort Detrick, Md.