Law Enforcement and Security Officers' Guide to Responding to Bomb Threats

• NCJ Number: 200421
• Author(s): Jim Smith J.D.
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 171 pages
• Sale Source: Charles C. Thomas
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Handbook
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This guide designed for law enforcement and security officers in the preparation for bomb threats and the performance of a basic analysis of potential bomb threats offers pertinent information on the critical steps necessary when responding to bomb threats, on bomb delivery, bomb construction and methods of triggering bombs, on the various types and forms of bombs, on countermeasures and defensive efforts, on basic threat analysis, on protocols for emergency medical service personnel, and on initial actions following an explosion and protecting evidence.

Abstract

Encountering an actual bomb during their career will not happen to the average law enforcement or security officer. Yet, it is probable that they will encounter and have to deal with suspicious packages, bomb threats, and identified explosives. With that, law enforcement, public safety, and security professionals need to plan for and respond to incidents that involve bomb threats. This text is intended as a guide and discusses the basic techniques for risk assessment, and target and hazard identification. Common methods of bomb delivery, bomb construction, and methods of triggering bomb delivery are presented. Letter bombs, vehicle bombs, and high-risk facilities such as aircraft, airports, medical facilities, and schools are discussed. In addition, devices such as chemical, biological, and radiological weapons and their unique hazards are addressed. Protocols for emergency medical service personnel in treating those injured are addressed, as well as the presentation, in detail, of the necessary countermeasures and defensive efforts allowing law enforcement and security personnel to make recommendations and assess appropriate actions to be taken. The guide includes necessary resources to be identified, as well as a bomb threat plan. It offers initial actions following an explosion and measures to be taken to protect evidence. Lastly, information is provided on the threat of clandestine drug laboratories and the techniques to recognize signatures of such facilities. This guide is designed to allow first responders, law enforcement, and security professionals to make identification of suspect items and take the appropriate actions until the bomb squad arrives. Appendix and glossary of common bomb or incendiary components terms, index