FBI: More Warnings of al-Qaida Terror Plots Coming

Sunday, 08 May 2011 08:42 PM
By Ronald Kessler

The FBI Laboratory has custody of the more than 100 items seized in the raid of Osama bin Laden’s compound, and clues from this material will likely lead to warnings of more al-Qaida plots, intelligence officials tell Newsmax.

The bureau played a key role in helping to train U.S. Navy SEALs for their mission, focusing on the commandos' task of gathering evidence about al-Qaida in the compound. After 9/11, the FBI took on the role of safeguarding any material seized in U.S. counterterrorism actions around the globe. It helped to preserve the chain of custody should the material be presented as evidence in a prosecution by the U.S. or by other countries. In addition, the FBI is in the best position to analyze fingerprints, DNA traces, and handwriting.

The material taken from the bin Laden compound includes documents such as letters and handwritten notes from bin Laden, shoulder weapons and handguns, digital thumb drives, computer hard drives, CDs, DVDs, and cell phones. At the CIA’s direction, the FBI has distributed copies or photographs of the material to the CIA Counterterrorism Center and other agencies poring over the treasure trove of leads.

“The documents could have fingerprints on them,â€