Bombs and Bomb Threats

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Charles H. Billingham
Sheriff

Office of the Sheriff
Camden County, New Jersey

Bomb Unit

and Bomb Threats

LETTER AND PACKAGE BOMBS

Typical characteristics of a mail or package bomb.

Feel and Balance. Letters that feel rigid, appear uneven or lopsided, or are bulkier than normal. Is there any springiness or undue pressure that can be felt through the package. Contents of parcel make a sloshing sound. WARNING - EXAMINE MAIL GENTLY!
Foreign Packages. If the item is from another country, ask yourself if it's expected. Do you have relatives or friends traveling? Did you buy something from business associates, charitable or religious groups, international organizations, etc.?
Place of Origin. Is it a familiar one? Note the delivery postmark.
Unrequested Deliveries. Is correspondence from the sender expected? Do the characteristics of the envelope or package resemble the expected contents? The addressee normally doesn't receive personal mail at the office.
Unusual addressing or Delivery Instructions. There are unusually restrictive endorsements such as "Personal" or "Private." Unprofessionally wrapped parcel is endorsed "Fragile-Handle with Care" or "Rush-Do not Delay." Name and title of addressee aren't accurate. The sender is unknown. There's no return address.
Smell. Mailing emits a peculiar odor. There's a smell of almonds or marzipan or any other strange smell coming from the package or letter.
Sender's Writing. Any mail should be treated with caution if it features a foreign style of writing, not normally received, on the address. This goes along with the Place of Origin.
Protruding Wires. Are there any protruding wires, tinfoil, or strings present?
Suspicious packaging. Wrapping exhibits previous use such as traces of glue, mailing labels, return addresses or tape. The parcel is secured with several types of tape. Outer container is shaped irregular or asymmetric or has soft spots or bulges. Use of excessive amount of postage stamps.
Sound. If there's any unusual sound or noise coming from the package such as a buzzing or ticking noise, the package should be treated with caution.

If a package exhibits any of these warning clues, you must follow these procedures.

If the suspicious package has not been touched.

If a suspicious delivery is spotted, do not touch it, and don't allow anyone else to touch it.
Evacuate the room. If the device appears to be very large, surrounding rooms should also be evacuated.
During evacuation, leave doors and windows open, to reduce any blast effects.
Keep people away from the area.
CALL POLICE EMERGENCY AT 9-1-1.
Do not handle the suspicious object, and do not try to carry it outside.
Do not place the device in water.

If an item is suspected during handling.

Place the suspicious item in a corner of the room, handling it very gently and making sure not to turn it over or unbalance it.
Make sure the device is placed away from windows, and that the windows are open.
Evacuate the room, and surrounding rooms if necessary. During evacuation, leave doors and windows open.
Keep people away from the area.
CALL POLICE EMERGENCY AT 9-1-1
Do not try to carry the device outside. Use procedures 1 through 5 above only.

TELEPHONE BOMB THREATS

Real or Hoax?

Most bomb threats are hoaxes which are made in an effort to disrupt normal business. However, no bomb threat should be dismissed as a hoax without notifying the proper authorities immediately.
Upon receiving a telephone bomb threat it is important to notify your immediate supervisor and your local police department. as soon as the caller hangs up.
Rule Number One - Be Calm. Be Courteous. Listen, do not interrupt the caller.

BOMB THREAT

QUESTIONS TO ASK:

1. When is bomb going to explode?
2. Where is it right now?
3. What does it look like?
4. What kind of bomb is it?
5. What will cause it to explode?
6. Did you place the bomb?
7. Why?
8. What is your address?
9. What is your name?

EXACT WORDING OF THE THREAT:
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________

Sex of caller:: ______ Race: ______
Age: _______ Length of call: ____
Number at which call is received:
_____________________________
Time: ______ Date: ______

CALLER' S VOICE:

______Calm                     Nasal
______Angry                    Stutter
______Excited                  Lisp
______Slow                      Raspy
______Rapid                    Deep
______Soft                       Ragged
______Loud                     Clearing throat
______Laughter             Deep breathing
______Crying                  Cracking Voice
______Normal                  Disguised
______Distinct                  Accent
______Slurred                   Familiar
______Whispered

If voice is familiar, who did it sound like?
_________________________________
_________________________________

BACKGROUND SOUNDS:

        Street noises              Factory machinery
        Crockery                     Animal noises
        Voices                         Clear
        P A System                  Static
        Music                           Local
        House noises                Long distance
        Motor                          Booth
        Office machinery

Other

THREAT LANGUAGE:

        Well spoken (educated)         Incoherent
        Foul                                          Taped
        Irrational                                 Message                                        read by threat maker

REMARKS: ________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________

Report call immediately to:

Phone number:

Date:

Name:

Position:

Phone Number:

These tips are excerpted from http://dpsw.usc.edc/Bombs2b.html They are reprinted with permission of theExecutive Office, Office of the Chief, USC Department of Public Safety

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