When General Whitworth first arrives at the BAU, he and Hotch discuss the handling of Dr. Hatfill in 2001. Dr. Steven Hatfill was a virologist and biological weapons expert at Fort Detrick. In 2002, Hatfill became the prime suspect in the 2001 anthrax attacks. His personal and professional life were severely damaged by the investigation. Hatfill sued the government. In 2008, the government settled the lawsuit by paying Dr. Hatfill $4.6 million (after attorney fees). The Justice Department also officially exonerated him, stating that after their intensive investigation, it was clear Dr. Hatfill was in no way involved in the attacks.
Prentiss says to Morgan that the "suspect" in the 2001 anthrax attacks sent letters to two senators with whom he had conflicting religious views. The 2001 suspect that is spoken about is never named However, it can be assumed that she is talking about Bruce Ivins. Ivins worked at Fort Detrick as a biodefense researcher, microbiologist and vaccinologist. His name is most likely left out because Ivins committed suicide when he believed that the F.B.I. were about to file criminal charges against him.
The lab at Fort Detrick is under the control of USAMRIID (U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases). Some of the most deadliest pathogens are stored in a Biosafety Level 4 facility, the most secure level of containment. Also, under Biological Weapons Convention signed into effect by Richard Nixon, any viral research is for defensive purposes only.
When Garcia is cross-referencing graduate students, one of the names on the list is Ly, O. One of the writers is Oanh Ly.