If you decide that a letter or package is “suspicious” after comparing it to the FBI Advisory Bulletin, take the following steps:
- Do not handle the mail piece or package suspected of contamination.
- Isolate the person or people who have been exposed to any suspicious substance.
- Make sure that the suspicious letter or package is isolated and the immediate area is closed off.
- Call
911 on a college or campus phone if available. If no college/campus phone is available, use any available phone and dial
972-860-4290.
If a person suddenly experiences respiratory problems and/or blistering of the skin, place them under an emergency shower (found in science labs) and/or a regular shower (using only cold water). Turn the shower on — and leave it on — until first responders arrive.
FBI Advisory: If You Receive a Suspicious Letter or Package
Handle with Care — Don’t Shake or Bump
Isolate and Look for Indicators
- No return address
- Restrictive markings (e.g. “Personal”)
- Possibly mailed from a foreign country
- Excessive postage
- Misspelled words
- Badly typed or written address
- Addressed to intended recipient by title only or incorrect title
- Protruding wires
- Lopsided or uneven
- Rigid or bulky
- Strange odor
- Oily stains, discolorations or crystallization on wrapper
- Excessive tape or string
Don’t Open, Smell or Taste
Treat as Suspect — Call 911!
If Parcel Is Open and/or a Threat Is Identified
-
For a bomb:
- Evacuate immediately
- Call police at 911
- Contact local FBI
-
For radiological threats:
- Limit exposure — don’t handle
- Distance (evacuate area)
- Shield yourself from object
- Call police at 911
- Contact local FBI
-
For biological or chemical threats:
- Isolate — don’t handle
- Call police at 911
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water
- Contact local FBI
GENERAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 2000-3
Produced by: Bomb Data Center, Weapons of Mass Destruction Unit