Microbial Forensics and Plant Pathogens: Attribution of Agricultural Crime

New awareness of the vulnerability of a nation's agricultural infrastructure to the intentional introduction of pathogens or pests has led to the enhancement of programs for prevention and preparedness. A necessary component of a balanced biosecurity plan is the capability to determine whether an outbreak may have been deliberate, to trace that outbreak to its source, and to identify those responsible for it. Microbial forensics is an emerging discipline that blends elements of numerous disciplines including microbiology, forensic science, and agricultural sciences. The discipline of plant pathology offers much knowledge, as well as many technologies and resources, developed for peaceful purposes that can be adapted and applied to the development of the new sub-discipline of plant pathogen forensics. Targeted research and education programs will be needed to meet this need. The United States food system is among the safest and most secure, worldwide. Yet, because plantbased systems are essential components of the nation’s farm-to-table food supply system they may be potential targets for the deliberate introduction of pathogens or pests by those intending harm (American Phytopathological Society 2002, Casagrande 2000, Madden and Wheelis 2003, Wheelis et al. 2002, Whitby 2001, 2002). In addition, plants comprise our fiber, forests and rangelands – and may become a primary source of biofuels. Possible impacts of intentional tampering include loss of product quality or availability, economic hardship for farm and market sectors and rural communities, and distrust of U.S. produce and value-added products. National biosecurity capabilities must include scientific knowledge, technologies and procedures to effectively trace the origin, timing and site of introduction of a plant pathogen or pest, and the collection of evidence that ultimately will allow successful criminal prosecution of those responsible. The general application of science to legal practices is forensic science, and if the activity focuses on pathogenic agents it is forensic microbiology. We will discuss the application of microbial forensic principles and activities to plant-based agricultural systems, and introduce the emerging sub-discipline of forensic plant