Suspicious Package

| 30-04-2021
[RAND-1-100] Comments



Letter and Parcel Bomb Recognition Checklist

Decontaminating Suspicious Package Found Containing Chemicals. Suspicious packages can be found with a variety of different substances that can be a potential threat to public health and to the environment. In a suspicious package there can be explosive devices found, biological agents, or even dangerous chemical agents that can impact human. Do not open the package or letter. Do not shake or empty the contents of a suspicious package or envelope. Do not carry the package or envelope, show it to others or allow others to examine it. Put the package or envelope on a stable surface; do not sniff, touch, taste, or look closely at it or any contents that may have spilled.

What to look for:

  • Software is exceptionally well designed, easy to use, and teaches the user about how installer packages are created though Suspicious Package's use. While I love Pacifist, Suspicious Package (SP) has become my go-to and I set it as my default '.pkg' file opener.
  • ­Suspicious packages may be considered to be police evidence – handle them accordingly. ­Avoid radio and mobile phone use in close proximity to the package. ­If the package is stained, discolored, or emits an odor, DO NOT attempt to identify the substance. If you come in contact with a leaking substance, wash your hands and exposed skin.
  • Foreign mail, air mail, and special deliveries.
  • Restrictive markings such as “CONFIDENTIAL” or “PERSONAL”.
  • Excessive postage.
  • Handwritten or poorly typed address.
  • Incorrect titles.
  • Misspellings of common words.
  • Oily stains or discoloration on package.
  • Strange odor.
  • Strange sounds.
  • Excessive weight.
  • Rigid, lopsided, or uneven envelopes.
  • Excessive tape or string.
  • Visual distractions.
  • No return address.

Handling Suspicious Packages

  • DO NOT open or shake it.
  • DO NOT carry or show to others.
  • DO NOT bring to the Police Department.
  • DO NOT sniff, touch or taste.
  • DO place on stable surface, preferably a Bio-Safety Cabinet.
  • DO alert others in the area.
  • Leave the area, close doors and prevent others from entering by using signs or guarding.
  • Distance and separation are the safest precautions to take.
  • Wash hands with soap and water.
  • Call the University Police at 617.627.6911 (x66911 from a campus phone).
  • Create a list of persons in the room where the package was received.

Mailroom security, an area often overlooked as policies and procedures are created or updated to reduce risks and losses, has risen in importance following the biological scares in late 2001. Javascript object dynamic key. Small government entities or nonprofit organizations are especially vulnerable because many don’t have a centralized mailroom or designate a single person to receive and distribute the mail.

Although relatively low cost and simple in design, chemical and biological weapons haven’t been prevalent in the United States up to now according to the U.S. Postal Service. The USPS says, “The chances are considerably greater of receiving a telephoned bomb threat or finding a suspicious and potentially harmful device placed at your office or on your property” than receiving a mail bomb. However, these weapons or the threat of their use are disruptive forces and you want to take a proactive preventive stance.

Suspicious Letter and Package Indicators

Suspicious

The first step is to post a list of typical characteristics that should alert employees to a suspicious package. This should be distributed to everyone who receives or opens letters and packages at your entity or organization. Ideally, this will be the mailroom supervisor or staff members serving as the mail point person. Hold a meeting to explain the added precautions, if they are new to your entity or organization, or to refresh the memory of staff where these procedures are in place.

General Suspicious Mail Indicators

Sent

Be Suspicious of any Letter or Package that:

  • Has any powdery substance on the outside.
  • Is unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you.
  • Has excessive postage, is handwritten or contains a poorly typed address, incorrect title or just a title with no name, or misspells common words.
  • Is addressed to someone no longer with your organization or is otherwise outdated.
  • Has no return address or one that can’t be verified as legitimate.
  • Is of unusual weight, given its size, or is lopsided or oddly shaped.
  • Has an unusual amount of tape on it.
  • Is marked with restrictive endorsements,such as “Personal” or “Confidential.”
  • Has strange odors or stains, or protruding wires.
Suspicious

2 chainz ft lil wayne yuck lyrics. (adapted from www.usps.com)

Policies and Procedures

The second step is to review your entity’s or organization’s policies and procedures for handling mail and package deliveries and distribution. Some of the questions you’ll want to ask are:

  • Is it possible to streamline the process?
  • Can you identify a single person and an alternate responsible for receiving, and screening letters and parcels prior to distributing these items to the staff?
  • Is there a separate room that can be designated as the mailroom?
  • What type of training is supplied for mailroom personnel?
  • How is their training updated? How often?
  • What guidelines are provided to mailroom personnel for identifying and reporting suspicious packages or letters?
  • How are personnel to verify that a delivery is expected?
  • Where can personnel refer to verify a return address is legitimate?
  • What should other employees do if they receive a parcel they aren’t expecting or which can’t be explained?
  • What is the chain of command for reporting suspicious deliveries?

Following are some Suspicious Mail Guidelines provided by the U.S. Postal Service on mail security. They address general suspicions and specifics for bomb threats, radiological threats, biological or chemical threats.

Don’t Open Any Parcel Until Verified as Safe

Suspicious Mail Guidelines

If you receive a suspicious letter or package:

  • Handle with care. Don’t shake or bump.
  • Don’t open,smell, touch or taste it.
  • Isolate it immediately.
  • Treat is as suspect. Call local law enforcement authorities.

If a letter/parcel is open and/or a threat is identified: Nfs most wanted ps2 cheats money cheat.

For a Bomb:

  • Evacuate immediately.
  • Call police.
  • Contact postal inspectors.
  • Call local fire department/Hazmat unit.

Suspicious Package Pictures

For Radiological:

  • Limit exposure—don’t handle.
  • Evacuate area (distance yourself).
  • Shield yourself from the object.
  • Call police.
  • Contact postal inspectors.
  • Call local fire department/Hazmat unit.

Suspicious Package Training Video

Suspicious

For Biological or Chemical:

  • Isolate—Don’t handle.
  • Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
  • Call police.
  • Contact postal inspectors.
  • Call local fire department/Hazmat unit.

Suspicious Package Dc

You may also want to review resources from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Centers for Disease Control for additional information and resources.

More Information

Read our book on crisis management: Vital Signs: Anticipating, Preventing and Surviving Crisis in a Nonprofit.