U.S. Concludes Al Qaeda Lacked a Chemical or Biological Stockpile

WASHINGTON, March 19 — After months of searching the bomb-ravaged wreckage of terrorist training camps and other sites in Afghanistan, investigators have concluded that while Al Qaeda researched chemical and biological weapons there is no indication that it acquired or produced them, government officials say.

Soil samples, swabs and other chemical tests have so far turned up no evidence of anthrax or other materials that would make chemical or biological weapons, the officials said. Testing is continuing.