How to spot a suspicious package

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  If a package exhibits any of the warning signs, follow these procedures: 

If the suspicious package has not been touched.

-- If a suspicious delivery is spotted, do not touch it, mark the area 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 the Security Operations Center at 911 or DSN 238-2667.
-- 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, 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 the Security Operations Center at 911 or DSN 238-2667.
-- Do not try to carry the device outside.

Letters and Package Bombs 

Typical characteristics of a mail or package bomb are: 

-- 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.  Mail 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 on the package?
-- 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 are any unusual sounds coming from the package such as a buzzing ticking noise, do not handle or remove the package. Evacuate the facility and notify authorities to investigate.