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Bomb Threats
Bomb threats are rare at Tulane University, but, they do occur. Bomb threats are usually received by telephone. The call is usually short in duration and the caller usually refuses to answer any questions. None-the-less, the caller should be pushed for additional information, as it will be very helpful in the threat analysis that has to be made very quickly.
It is important that you obtain as much information as possible from the caller. Try to write down the exact words used by the caller.
It is an unnerving experience for anyone to receive a telephone threat. But there are ways to minimize personal fear and still concentrate on gathering information that may help law enforcement personnel to identify the person making the threat.
The first step is to realize that virtually any employee could receive such a call. The second step is to be aware that careful procedures have been developed to counter such threats and to arrest and convict the callers.
See below for some procedures that may help you focus on noting the important information provided by the caller, and some questions that you should ask in such a situation:
Telephone number threat was received on: ______________________________________
In house line (single ring)________________ or Outside line (double ring)______________
Exact time of call: ________________________________________________________
Exact words of caller: _____________________________________________________
Ask the following:
When will the bomb explode? _________________________________
Where is the bomb? ________________________________________
What does it look like? ______________________________________
What kind of bomb is it? _____________________________________
What is your name? ________________________________________
What is your address?_______________________________________
Where are your calling from? _________________________________
Why did you place the bomb? _________________________________
Make special note of the following: _____________________________
Caller's voice (calm, excited, disguised, accent, etc.) ________________
________________________________________________________
Caller's sex _______________________________________________
Caller's approximate age (determined by voice)____________________
Was the voice familiar to you?_________________________________
Was there any background music? __ Yes ___ no
Your name: _______________________________________________
Date: ____________________________________________________
Click here for a copy of Tulane's Bomb Threat Report print this report and keep it near the telephones in case you receive a bomb threat.
Immediately Call the TUHSC Police Department at 988-5555 if you receive a bomb threat.
Do not panic! The TUHSC Police will assist in searching the area. The assistance of office personnel may be requested in identifying items or packages that may be unusual to the area. TUHSC Police will work closely with administration to determine if the evacuation of any buildings is necessary. Several factors will have to be evaluated before such an evacuation is conducted. If you are instructed to evacuate a building, exit the building through the nearest exit and move to a safe area away from the building. TUHSC Police will notify other agencies and departments as needed to assist with the searching and removal of suspicious packages. Bomb threats are usually made to disrupt business, classes, examinations or daily routines. The likelihood of an actual bomb being placed is extremely rare. However, TUHSC Police treats every threat seriously and will investigate all threat thoroughly.
The Communicating of false information of planned bomb is a violation of Louisiana Criminal code. See Revised Statute section RS 14-54.1. Whoever commits the crime of communicating of false information of arson or attempted arson shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not more than twenty years.
| Types of Bombs |
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Letter and Package Bombs:
Letter or package bombs represent an excellent delivery method if the motive of the attack is to inflict injury upon a specific individual. Employees should be very alert for:
Warning - Examine all Mail Gently!
Balance: Letters and packages will feel unbalanced, the contents may shift and or make sloshing sounds. Letters may feel rigid, appear uneven or lopsided and are bulkier than normal.
Sweating: Some chemicals used in explosives may "sweat" and result in "greasy" marks on wrappings.
Odors: Some of these chemicals may also give off unusual odors, which the human nose will quickly sense. For example, the Oklahoma City bomb was constructed of nitrogen based commercial fertilizer. The next time you use garden or lawn fertilizer, note the smell. Nitrogen explosive devices may emit the same odor. These orders can be similar to almonds or marzipan.
Feel: Letters have a normal "feel." Those that contain devices may simply not "feel" right, or they may be "stiff." This can indicate the presence of plastic or metallic components as opposed to the normal paper stuffing.
Packaging: Be very cautious of envelopes or packages, which are found within other packages. This may be an attempt to mask or hide the actual explosive device. Wrapping exhibits previous use such as traces of glue, mailing labels, return addresses, or tape. The package may be secured with several different types of tape and may have an excessive amount of postage stamps.
Addressing: Be cautious of items marked "To Be Opened Only By," "Personal," "Private," or one which carries a strange place of origin, script, disguised or unusual writing or type, obvious misspelling or altering of words in the address field, or the lack of a return address.
Foreign Packages: If the item is from another country, ask yourself if it's expected. Do you have relatives or friends traveling? Did you purchase something from an international organization.
Place of Origin: Is the postmark a familiar one.
Un-requested Deliveries: Is correspondence from the sender expected? Does the characteristics of the envelope or package resemble the expected contents? Does the addressee normally receive personal mail at work.
Writing: Any mail that features a foreign style of writing, not normally received at your address should be treated with caution.
Protruding Wires: Any wires, tinfoil, or strings protruding from a package or letter should be treated with caution.
Sounds: If there's any unusual sounds coming from a package such as a buzzing or ticking noise, use extra caution.
If a package exhibits any of these warning signs contact the TUHSC Police immediately at 988-5555.
Here are some procedures to follow if you discover at suspicious package.
While handing package you become suspicious.
- Place the package in a corner of the room, handing it very gently and making sure not to turn it over or unbalance it.
- Make sure that the device is placed away from windows.
- Do not try to carry the device outside.
- Evacuate the room. If the device appears to be very large evacuate the surrounding rooms also.
- Leave any doors and windows that are open, open to reduce the blast effects.
- Keep people away from the area.
If you suspect a package that has not been touched.
- If a suspicious delivery is spotted, do not touch it and don't let anyone else touch it.
- Evacuate the room and surrounding rooms if necessary.
- Leave any doors and windows open to reduce blast effects.
- Keep people away from the area.
- Do not handle to suspicious item and do not try to carry it outside.
- Do not place the device in water.
The state of Louisiana has several laws referring to the making of bombs and bomb threats.
1. Placing combustible materials
- Aggravated arson
- Simple arson
- Simple arson of a religious building
- Arson with intent to defraud
2. Communicating of false information of planned arson
3.Manufacture and possession of delayed action incendiary devices Note: this section refers to RS 40:1471.1 which has been repealed.
4. Manufacture and possession of a bomb
5. Forfeitures
6. Fake explosive device
7. Communicating of false information of planned bombing on school property, at a school-sponsored function, or in a firearm-free zone
If you wish to research other Louisiana laws visit the Louisiana Statutory database.
