The FBI has recovered several pieces of forensic evidence from Monday’s attacks at the Boston Marathon, officials said on Tuesday night, but said they still have no suspects and no one has yet claimed responsibility.
FBI Special Agent Rick DesLauriers said the forensic evidence found at the scene of the blasts on Boylston Street included potential pieces of a pressure cooker device with BB gun bullets, nails and possibly gunpowder, stuffed into a black nylon backpack. Debris and evidence were found inside stores and along rooftops of buildings in the area, officials said.
“That gives you an idea of the power of the blast,” said Special Agent Gene Marquez of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The evidence has been expedited to a lab in Virginia for processing.
Officials said those at the scene should contact them if they saw anyone with a heavy black backpack in the area before the blasts occurred, and to note if any friends or family had spoken of an attack on April 15 or that they were targeting the marathon. Police said there might have been “test” bombs blown up prior to the event, and want to know of any other explosions that may have happened in the area prior to Monday.
“The person who did this was someone’s friend, neighbor or co-worker,” DesLauriers said.
DesLauriers said the FBI has received more than 2,000 tips from the public thus far, but they still need more to piece together a “meticulous” investigation, and the investigation is “still in its infancy.” Businesses with security cameras are asked to turn in their security footage from the area.
“We’re literally going over the crime scene with a fine tooth comb,” said Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis. “There is not a rush to any end.”