A biocrime or biothreat is a situation in which a single person or a group targets a specific individual or group for harm. During a biocrime, a disease-causing agent or toxin is used as a weapon. The action can be either covert or overt. In the case of a covert event, it is likely that a physician or medical laboratory scientist will be the first to recognize the threat. In an overt action, emergency responders will be the first on the scene.