The use of biological weapons has been recorded throughout history. However, the anthrax-tainted letters of the fall of 2001 caused shock and panic in several countries. Knowledge of the principal bacteriological weapons allows design of novel rapid DNA-based diagnostic tests that should help defuse the impact of future bioterrorist attacks. Less than one-hour real-time PCR identification of bacteria and their associated antibiotic resistance genes will revolutionize the practice of medicine.