What did the declassified documents reveal?

The Report of "A" is a document released by The Black Vault, detailing a biological warfare experiment conducted at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland. The document is notable for its description of the effects of anthrax infection on human subjects. The document was released through The Black Vault's efforts, and its canonical URL is available at archive.org. The report was likely declassified under the Freedom of Information Act, although the exact release details are not specified. The Report of "A" begins with a discussion of the experiment's objectives and the methods used to infect the subjects. The document notes that 50 cases of anthrax disease were investigated, which could be grouped into three categories: percutaneous infection, peroral infection, and pernasal infection. The document then provides a detailed description of the pathological changes observed in the subjects, including localized cutaneous ulcers and perifocal phlegmons, intense degeneration and interstitial edema of the heart, and hepatitis serosa III accompanied by some hemorrhagic changes. The report also describes the effects of peroral infection, where the subjects were infected through contaminated food, resulting in acute abdominal symptoms and severe hemorrhagic ascites. The document notes that all patients died after several days. The document includes representative records of six cases, which provide a detailed description of the pathological changes observed in each subject. These records include information on the primary and secondary metastatic changes, as well as the organs affected. The report also discusses the effects of pernasal infection, where the subjects were infected through contaminated air, resulting in acute tonsillitis, acute hemorrhagic mediastinitis, and acute hemorrhagic peribronchitis. The document notes that the subjects died after several days. The document concludes with a discussion of the results of the experiment and the implications for future research. The report is marked as TOP SECRET, indicating that it was classified at the time of its creation. This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. The Report of "A" is a grim reminder of the horrors of biological warfare and the importance of transparency and accountability in scientific research. Source: The Black Vault, archive.org.

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

The Report Of "a"

◆ BLUF — The short version

The Report of "A" is a document released by The Black Vault, detailing a biological warfare experiment conducted at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland. The document is notable for its description of the effects of anthrax infection on human subjects.

Date: JUL 31 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

↯ Dispatch — press play2:53

0:002:53

↯ Share

X in r/

Episode notes

View the primary source document

Questions about this case

What was The Report Of "a" about?: The Report of "A" is a document released by The Black Vault, detailing a biological warfare experiment conducted at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland. The document is notable for its description of the effects of anthrax infection on human subjects.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

the-unexplained

Related cases

✉ Dispatches

A short dispatch when a new file is released — narrated, answer-first, and linked straight to the primary source. No spam; unsubscribe anytime.

↯ Subscribe to the feed

RSS feed Browse all cases

The Report Of "a"

Questions about this case

Related cases

Declassified Assessment On Covid 19 Origins

Army Conducted Germ Warfare Tests. In Washington's National Airport | By Stacy Young And Andy Lenarcic (declassified)

Declassified Documents About The Iran Iraq War

Communist Insurgency In Thailand

The Report Of "g"

Questions about this case

Related cases

Declassified Assessment On Covid 19 Origins

Army Conducted Germ Warfare Tests. In Washington's National Airport | By Stacy Young And Andy Lenarcic (declassified)

Declassified Documents About The Iran Iraq War

Communist Insurgency In Thailand

The Report Of "g"

Get the next declassified case in your inbox