Tactical Applications of Microbial Forensics in Agricultural and Environmental Biosecurity

The secure and continuous production of agricultural commodities and food security are key to U.S. national security. The introduction of foreign-origin or emerging animal, plant, and human diseases by intentional acts of espionage, terrorism, biological warfare, or criminal activity can lead to severe consequences for domestic and international agricultural markets, the economic security of the agricultural community, food safety and food security, and the credibility of responsible state and federal agencies. Early public, animal, plant health, law enforcement, and intelligence assessments and investigations of suspected or confirmed intentional threats are critical additions to existing interagency prevention, response, and management protocols. Forensic microbiology, a multidisciplinary science, is essential to the nation's readiness for responding to a potentially criminal, intentional, or otherwise nefarious incident in the agricultural sector (plant or animal), and of eventual supporting attribution and the prosecution of the perpetrators.