As part of the investigation into the potential/alleged/suspected/speculated terror plot in New York the FBI raided the Queens apartment in which one of the suspects stayed. From the New York Times, Federal Agents Arrest 3 Men in Terror Inquiry:
What am I missing here? Why on earth would they be interested in 100 tongue depressors?
People use them to mix stuff. Like paint (or explosives).
[strokes chin] makes sense… thanks friedo!
Force us to say “Alahhhhh…”
Um…bioagents?
Maybe one of their kids has an upcoming art project.
Through forensics they could possible track where they have been as wood often absorbs things in the environment. Maybe they suspect the tongue depressors were used for the named purpose and could check for DNA samples.
Maybe its to justify certain warrants in the future 'these terrorists had tounge depressors and when i looked into so and so’s room he had a box of them so you should give us a warrant to search for small items like tongue depressors.
I think the art project is the most likely