Independent panel to study anthrax case The FBI will ask a group of independent scientists to review evidence from the government's anthrax investigation that concluded an Army researcher masterminded the deadly 2001 biological attacks. The FBI and National Academy of Sciences have been discussing whether to do an independent review, likely costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, of the DNA analysis that led investigators to Dr. Bruce Ivins. On Tuesday, FBI Director Robert Mueller says he will request the review. Kearney said it will likely take several weeks to develop a project scope before the review is under way. Generally, Academy studies take six to 18 months to complete, and are done by teams of volunteer and staff scientists, he said. Studies of the size and expertise that is expected for the anthrax review usually cost at least several hundred thousand dollars and possibly up to $1 million, and are funded by the federal government, Kearney said....