Cheryl L. Wieser Regional Security Officer 206-526-6653 MAIL BOMB RECOGNITION Cheryl L. Wieser Regional Security Officer 206-526-6653 Updated 10/04/11 U.S. Department of Commerce Office Of Security (OSY) 1 Security is Everyone's Responsibility – See Something, Say Something!

REASONS FOR SENDING A MAIL BOMB Revenge workplace violence Love Triangle Business Disputes Extortion Terrorism political motivation 2 Security is Everyone's Responsibility – See Something, Say Something!

TWO TYPES OF BOMBS Placed Bombs: Mail Bombs: Are placed by an individual. These devices can be triggered by any one of a number of methods These include hand delivered packages Mail Bombs: Are sent through the US Postal System or delivered by a commercial package service including UPS, Fed Ex, or a common carrier such as a local trucking company. 3 Security is Everyone's Responsibility – See Something, Say Something!

METHODS TO TRIGGER PLACED BOMBS Timer Motion Proximity switch Light activated Trigger when opened Unstable elements Poor workmanship Electric or mechanical Mercury switch Introduced object Light on or off Tripped by opening Age or design flaw Premature activation 4 Security is Everyone's Responsibility – See Something, Say Something!

TRIGGERING MAIL BOMBS Are often limited to one primary method, that of opening the package. Since mail bombs are designed to pass through the mail system, the ones that actually get delivered are usually fairly rugged, since they have passed sorting, canceling and various routing & transportation operations. 5 Security is Everyone's Responsibility – See Something, Say Something!

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF LETTER & PARCEL BOMBS TYPE OF MAIL: FOREIGN, PRIOROTIY, SPECIAL DELIVERY RESTRICTIVE MARKINGS: CONFIDENTIAL, PERSONAL, TO BE OPENED BY ADDRESSEE ONLY 6 Security is Everyone's Responsibility – See Something, Say Something!

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS VISUAL DISTRACTION: FRAGILE, RUSH, HANDLE WITH CARE EXECESSIVE POSTAGE (USUALLY POSTAGE STAMPS) 7 Security is Everyone's Responsibility – See Something, Say Something!

COMMON CHARACTERISITICS FICTICIOUS OR NO RETURN ADDRESS POORLY TYPED OR HANDWRITTEN ADDRESS INCORRECT TITLES 8 Security is Everyone's Responsibility – See Something, Say Something!

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS TITLES BUT NO NAMES MISSPELLINGS OF COMMON WORDS OILY STAINS OR DISCOLORATIONS 9 Security is Everyone's Responsibility – See Something, Say Something!

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS EXCESSIVE OR UNEVEN WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION EXECESSIVE BINDING MATERIAL: MASKING, ELECTRIC OR STRAPPING TAPE, STRING, TWINE 10 Security is Everyone's Responsibility – See Something, Say Something!

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS RIGID, LOPSIDED OR UNEVEN ENVELOPE PROTRUDING WIRES, SCREWS OR OTHER METAL PARTS POSTMARK DIFFERENT FROM RETUN ADDRESS 11 Security is Everyone's Responsibility – See Something, Say Something!

WHAT TO DO Restrict access Do not open Do not cover Move once Isolate Open area Keep dry Call Police Keep people away Make no attempts No covers or blankets No unnecessary handling Isolate in dry area Do not enclose package Do not place in water Ask for Bomb Squad 12 Security is Everyone's Responsibility – See Something, Say Something!

ALWAYS ERR ON THE SIDE OF YOUR SAFETY SUMMARY LOOK FOR THE UNUSUAL ALWAYS ERR ON THE SIDE OF YOUR SAFETY 13 Security is Everyone's Responsibility – See Something, Say Something!

QUESTIONS?? 14 Security is Everyone's Responsibility – See Something, Say Something!