1. Cheryl L. Wieser Regional Security Officer 206-526-6653
MAIL BOMB RECOGNITION
Cheryl L. Wieser
Regional Security Officer
Updated 10/04/11
U.S. Department of Commerce
Office Of Security (OSY) 1
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2. REASONS FOR SENDING A MAIL BOMB
Revenge
workplace violence
Love Triangle
Business Disputes
Extortion
Terrorism
political motivation 2
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3. 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
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4. 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
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5. 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
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6. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF LETTER & PARCEL BOMBS
TYPE OF MAIL:
FOREIGN, PRIOROTIY, SPECIAL DELIVERY
RESTRICTIVE MARKINGS:
CONFIDENTIAL, PERSONAL, TO BE OPENED BY ADDRESSEE ONLY 6
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7. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS
VISUAL DISTRACTION: FRAGILE, RUSH, HANDLE WITH CARE
EXECESSIVE POSTAGE (USUALLY POSTAGE STAMPS) 7
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8. COMMON CHARACTERISITICS
FICTICIOUS OR NO RETURN ADDRESS
POORLY TYPED OR HANDWRITTEN ADDRESS
INCORRECT TITLES 8
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9. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS
TITLES BUT NO NAMES
MISSPELLINGS OF COMMON WORDS
OILY STAINS OR DISCOLORATIONS 9
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10. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS
EXCESSIVE OR UNEVEN WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
EXECESSIVE BINDING MATERIAL:
MASKING, ELECTRIC OR STRAPPING TAPE, STRING, TWINE 10
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11. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS
RIGID, LOPSIDED OR UNEVEN ENVELOPE
PROTRUDING WIRES, SCREWS OR OTHER METAL PARTS
POSTMARK DIFFERENT FROM RETUN ADDRESS 11
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12. 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
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13. ALWAYS ERR ON THE SIDE OF YOUR SAFETY
SUMMARY
LOOK FOR THE UNUSUAL
ALWAYS ERR ON THE SIDE OF YOUR SAFETY 13
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14. QUESTIONS?? 14
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