Basically, if it wasn't already out on the open net, I'm not using it here...
First, all of the links used are from the National Counterterrorism Center. I am also including a list of Suicide Bomber ID points from the back of a card given to me when I joined the International Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals. I am also going to hit a few points on spotting potential IED's and what indicators the LE community may find beforehand. I know this is probably common knowledge to the LE community, but refreshers never hurt!
Let's start with pre-incident indicators...
-Explosions, even small ones, out in the boondocks.
+To assume the Tangos are stupid, inept, or even lackadaisical in their planning and preparation is asinine at best and foolhardy at worst and condemning your jurisdiction to blood loss. They test their weapons as we do. They most likely will go way out in the middle of nowhere to do so. If you are involved in rural law enforcement, or even fish and game enforcement, every explosion is a potential terrorist training exercise... Act accordingly.
-Frequent or uncommonly large purchases of blackpowder or precursor chemicals
+Illicit energetic materials are often made up of multiple legal precursor chemicals. Blackpowder or smokeless powder when purchased in large quantities is occasionally an indicator of these activities however, the most common practice in obtaining powder or other ACTUAL energetic materials would be multiple small purchases by various members of the cell.
-Large or frequent purchases of simple pyrotechnic fireworks, even sparklers
+Many of the simple pyrotechnic fireworks legal in most states can be disassembled by someone who is reasonably competent with simple hand tools (pretty much an Xacto knife...) and a reasonably steady hand to be reused with much more sinister intentions. Even sparklers, given a significant quantity, can be weaponized.
-"Dry Runs" that may simulate or entail placement of concealment devices
+They drill too.
-"Feeling Out" Security of a likely target.
+Simple things such as observing from a distance, initiating a response from some form of security unit such as acting lost near LE, or the previous drilling for the event can be used as a means to determine such intelligence information as local security force presence and/or relevant response and response time.
These may seem like common sense but they are usually conducted in such a manner as to appear innocent enough to forego further examination. Such acts are not necessarily grounds for suspicion, but should act as a sort of precursor to prepare for advanced scrutiny should another act occur by the primary subject or one (or more) of their known associates.
During an event....
In the minutes or hours leading up to a blast, with proper training in IED Awareness casualties can be prevented and minimized. Many such courses are available on this to the public and first responders online though several reputable sources. I'll hit on a few common points of these courses I took, again, without divulging any responses given in those courses, not because they're super high-speed or anything, I just don't want to give tangoes any more ammo than they already have for the reasons of my own morals. (I know... I have the morals of a jackal.)
First, we should look at what to do if a bomb threat is received.
-Record the message if possible to include extension or address mailed to and from if possible, time called and time of hangup if by phone, and the text of the message itself
-Find out if possible:
+Where is the bomb?
+When will it detonate?
+Why?
+Who placed it?
+Caller's Name
+Determine caller's location by background noise if applicable
+Determine as much as possible about the caller by pitch of voice, sex by tone of voice, estimate their age, and note peculiar speech methods such as stutters, accents, or peculiar dialects
+Annotate your name and room number as recipient
For more information, or for use in your own facility, I'm providing this document from the National Counterterrorism Center:
http://www.nctc.gov/site/pdfs/ct_calendar_2013_160.pdf
If the event has had no associated threat, we must look at such things as:
-Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
-Be cautious of natural choke points. They are typically employed for secondary devices.
-Individuals appearing with bags or packs that leave them unattended, particularly if left near crowds
-Trash cans or other large objects that appear to have been moved or grossly tampered with
IF YOU SPOT A POTENTIAL IED:
-DO NOT Approach!
-DO NOT Attempt to move it!
-IMMEDIATELY CONTACT HIGHER AUTHORITY AND EVACUATE THE AREA!
-Avoid use of Radio equipment, to include cellular phones and public safety radios near the device!
-Establish security in a containment zone in keeping with standoff distance relevant to the size of the suspected device if possible or as far away from it as possible.
-Conduct a thorough search for secondary devices.
-Search for vantage/observation points that could be used by the bomber for purposes of using a command detonated system.
-Use the military 5 C's:
+Confirm IED presence
+Clear the area
+Cordon the area
+Contact higher/EOD with UXO report
+Control traffic
-Also use the RAIN Principle:
+Recognize characteristics of potential WMD (to include all CBRNE devices)
+Avoid, through use of cover and protection, the hazards of WMD
+Isolate the device
+Notify appropriate assets and authorities
A good resource:
http://cryptome.org/ieds.pdf
So... What could be a potential IED?
Anything.
Typically, if an observant eye is in play it can be spotted.
Think of a man leaving his backpack, much like Boston... Most people don't walk off and leave something they want.
What about a briefcase in a dumpster?
A trash can that appears to be brand new, wasn't there yesterday, and is already full?
ANYTHING.
What about a package?
Sure.
How do I determine if these seemingly innocent things are an IED?
If you're not a bomb tech, you SHOULD NOT do anything other than observe.
But, some indicators are:
-Uncharacteristic sound coming from the concealment
-Lumps inconsistent with the design of the concealment
-A strange odor such as bleach or peroxide. It should be noted that nitrates typically give people headaches as well.
-Leaks, stains, protruding wires, foil, tape, etc.
-Unbalanced or particularly heavy weight
-A package with no return address or a fictitious return address
-Notes attached
This is not all inclusive, just a few things to keep an eye on...
Now... What do you do if a suspicious something meets one of more of these criteria?
-If applicable, maintain CCTV surveillance
-Debrief those evacuated
-Record any details IMMEDIATELY and turn them over to relevant authority
-Obtain all photos or videos taken at the time from evacuees and have such items turned over IMMEDIATELY to relevant authority
-Keep eyes-on for anyone who appears to be monitoring the response that is not a part of the appropriate security assets on scene and report IMMEDIATELY to law enforcement
Have suspicions before an event? Who do you contact?
Local LE for one... These may help as well:
http://www.nctc.gov/site/other/have_suspicions.html
Now let's get technical...
You're a LE Responder and you think you've found an IED.
You contacted higher and EOD.
What about containment?
http://www.nctc.gov/site/technical/bomb_threat.html
The attached chart (link above) shows standoff and evacuation distances.
http://www.nctc.gov/site/technical/tnt.html
Above is a link showing the TNT equivalent of a few different compounds which can be used to determine further evacuation distances in the event of finding more devices that are unexploded.
http://www.nctc.gov/site/technical/common_explosives.html
And this is a list of explosives commonly used in IED's worldwide.
I know, I know... It's Wikipedia, but here is a bit more background on IED's as a whole worldwide.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Improvised_explosive_device
Take this information and distribute it among your agency and cooperating agencies and implement them into your emergency plan.
Stay Safe.
Stay Frosty.
Stay in the Fight!
WY6/1*
V/R
Kenny Smith
TFTG President