New Jersey has been a focal point into the investigation of anthrax-laced letters that were postmarked in the Trenton area and killed five people last fall.

But in New Jersey, a woman who works near a postal center that handled anthrax-laced letters was found today to have the skin form.

Discovery of an anthrax-laced letter mailed to Senator Patrick Leahy strengthened the likelihood that the terrorist is home-grown rather than foreign.

The bureau's investigation has failed to identify who was responsible for the anthrax-laced letters sent to two senators and the news media last fall.

Yet, last year, when everyone was worrying about receiving anthrax-laced letters, Mr. Preston says he took no precautions in handling his own mail.

Its drug Cipro, which is used in the treatment of anthrax, became well known when numerous anthrax-laced letters were mailed after the September 2001 terrorist attacks.

Mr. Tobiason denies any knowledge of the anthrax-laced letters, and federal officials say he is not a suspect.

When the anthrax-laced letters were mailed in New Jersey, that state found itself ill-equipped, and was widely criticized for its muddled response.

We are now forced to deal with anthrax-laced letters.

Investigators said it was still not known who had mailed the anthrax-laced letters or whether they all had come from the same source.