The FBI Plays Catch-Up

The July 27 bombing in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park during the Summer Games directly killed one person and injured more than 100 others. A cameraman rushing to the scene also died, from a heart attack. Several weeks later, when it became clear that the FBI search for definitive evidence was foundering, FBI officials claimed that their focus on security guard Richard Jewell as the only named suspect had in no way hampered their overall investigation.

Well, another conclusion is likely to be drawn from the FBI’s much belated call, on Monday, for the public to come forward with photographs and any other information that might help solve the crime. To be sure, the FBI already has more than 200 rolls of videotape and photographic film taken by professionals and amateurs at or near the scene. But why didn’t it make this appeal (and its offer of a $500,000 reward) six weeks ago, when Jewell was officially cleared as a suspect?

Better yet, why wasn’t the plea made 116 days earlier, at the time of the bombing? Not only has the FBI missed an opportunity to quickly collect visual evidence from Olympic Games visitors from around the globe, the timing of the call also makes it less likely that people will recall exactly what they might have seen and more likely that any evidence has already been discarded.

The audiotape of a telephoned warning about the bomb, once held back because the voice was believed to have been disguised, has now finally been played for the public in hopes that someone will recognize the caller.

The fact is that the FBI investigation itself is suspect, and now the agency is forced to play catch-up. One can only hope that this late plea for help will lead to the bomber.