SECURITY TRAINING
IED
(Improvised Explosive Device)
Postal Devices
Aims & Objectives
Aims:
The aim of this training session is to educate staff on the various IED/Incendiary
postal devices that could pose a threat to your working environment and how to
manage the immediate situation
Objectives:
Understand the four C’s
Learn the different ‘types’ of postal devices
Teach you the ‘Tell-Tale’ signs of a possible suspect package
Establish what actions you need to take
IED - Typical Explosive Compounds
Typical Compounds & Detonators:
Plastic Explosive (or the obsolete term plastique) is a specialised form of explosive material. It
is soft and hand malleable and may have the added benefit of being usable over a wider
temperature range than pure explosive - (often made of a military used material called semtex or
a slightly less effective and combustive material called C-4).
Some terrorist groups have also used plastic explosives, especially Semtex and C-4. In October
2000, terrorists used C-4 to attack the U.S.S. Cole, killing 17 sailors[2] In 1996, terrorists used C4 to blow up the Khobar Towers U.S. military housing complex in Saudi Arabia.
Nitro-glycerine (NG), is a heavy, colourless, oily, explosive liquid obtained by nitrating glycerol.
Since the 1860s, it has been used as an active ingredient in the manufacture of explosives,
specifically dynamite, and as such is employed in the construction and demolition industries.
Similarly, since the 1880s, it has been used by the military as an active ingredient
A Detonator is a device used to trigger an explosive device. Detonators can be
chemically, mechanically, or electrically initiated, the latter two being the most
common. Explosive Ordnance Devices or EOD (hand grenades, naval mines etc.)
generally use mechanical detonators.
IED - Typical Components
IED - Dealing with a Suspect Device - Video
VIDEO
IED - 4 C’s
01 - Typical Parcel Device Indicators
01 - Typical Parcel Device Indicators
Oil/Grease like
stains and/or
finger marks
Mis-spelt
name/address
and/or missing
postcode etc
Excessive postage
Strange odours
(especially
marzipan,Almond or
petrol)
Foil underskin
Possibly strong minty or
perfume smell in an attempt to
hide true fragrance
Protruding wires
Uneven weight heavy on one side
Heavily sealed
(lots of tape etc)
02 - Letter Bomb (Musical Greeting Card)
02 - Letter Bomb (Musical Greeting Card)
Origination of letter
Excessive postage
Incomplete post
code
Not addressed to
any particular
person within the
organisation
Heavy and Bumpy
feel
02 - Letter Bomb (Musical Greeting Card)
Battery/Power
Source
Trigger
Detonator
Plastic Explosives
& Nails
03 - Letter Bomb (Foil Contact Strip)
03 - Letter Bomb (Foil Contact Strip)
Excessive postage
General feel of
letter
Marked Private
03 - Letter Bomb (Foil Contact Strip)
Battery/Power
Source
Nitro-Glycerine
Explosive
Detonator - this would normally
be a model rocket fuse
Contacts & Trigger
03 - Letter Bomb (Foil Contact Strip)
Contacts & Trigger
Bottom section would be sealed
into the envelope so not to move
04 - Incendiary Device
04 - Incendiary Device
Marked ‘Private
and Personal’
Possibly a smell of
petrol or chemical
General Feel of
package
04 - Incendiary Device
Back view - top section slightly pulled out
04 - Incendiary Device
Larger section would be secured inside as not to
move, allowing the adjoining card to be pulled
therefore sparking the matches
05 - Letter (Razor Blades)
Unless viewed under an x-ray machine this envelope
would not be seen as suspicious
05 - Letter (Razor Blades)
Razor Blades
Designed to cause lacerations to fingers as they are run through the edge to open. Blades can
also be contaminated, so causing illness as well as cuts
05 - Letter (Razor Blades)
06 - Letter Bomb (Mini Micro Switch)
Do not bend Sticker
Lumpy Feel
Weight
Unless viewed under an x-ray machine this envelope would not be seen as
suspicious. The only possible indicators would be ‘do not bend’ and ‘Overseas
Address’ however these are not conclusive - envelope may feel bumpy
06 - Letter Bomb (Mini Micro Switch)
Trigger (Switch)
Detonator
Plastic Explosives
Activation switch
(on/off)
Battery/Power
Source
07 - Postal Device (Mechanical ‘Mardi-Gra’ Campaign)
07 - Postal Device (Mechanical ‘Mardi-Gra’ Campaign)
Just addressed to the
manger
Is the package
unusual to the nature
of the business?
If the item can be
identified, does it
appear to match that
description?
07 - Postal Device (Mechanical ‘Mardi-Gra’ Campaign)
Spring
Live shot gun shell
Door bolt
Spring is pulled back and held why the lid is closed, upon opening the bolt is released under
the spring tension hitting and firing the shot gun shell
08 - Postal Device (Light Sensor)
08 - Postal Device (Light Sensor)
Do Not X-Ray Sign
Just addressed to the
manger
Is the package
unusual to the nature
of the business?
If the item can be
identified, does it
appear to match that
description?
Weight
Comments on
package that may
raise concern
08 - Postal Device (Light Sensor)
Detonator
Trigger (Sensor)
Plastic
Explosives
Activation switch
(on/off)
09 - Tube Bomb (Stage Fireworks)
09 - Tube Bomb (Stage Fireworks)
Not addressed to
any one person
Postage costs
One end sealed
more than the
other
09 - Tube Bomb (Stage Fireworks)
Trigger (Sensor)
Buzzer is just for the
purpose of the imitation
device
Theatrical Maroons (Large Stage Fireworks that
contain gunpowder)
Activation switch
(on/off)
Actions ‘Upon Discovering a Suspect Device’
What do you do when you suspect a parcel or post item?
•Don’t panic! - Try to remember that postal devices are usually triggered upon opening and would have
been processed through the Royal Mail and transported on delivery vans etc - Time is not normally a
matter of concern.
•Place the item in the ‘BOMB BIN’
(picture for illustration purposes only)
•Leave the post room, securing the door behind you and make your way to the nearest telephone and
call your security department or pre-notified person.
•It is important to maintain calm during this situation, the matter in hand should not be advised to
anyone else other than the nominated contact person in these situations.
•The decision to not evacuate, partially evacuate or commence a full evacuation will be determined by
considering a number of factors including the perceived level of risk from the information gained from the
immediate threat. (The suspect item, location, circumstances etc)
•These decisions will normally be made by senior management within your organisation and will be
notified.
Aims & Objectives
Aims:
The aim of this training session is to educate staff on the various IED/Incendiary
postal devices that could pose a threat to your working environment and how to
manage the immediate situation
Objectives:
Understand the four C’s
Learn the different ‘types’ of postal devices
Teach you the ‘Tell-Tale’ signs of a possible suspect package
Establish what actions you need to take
End
Thank you:
Following a 10 minute break period you will be asked to complete a short test paper
based on the training session you have received.