Bomb Threat

Most bomb threats that are called in are intended to disrupt normal business and activities and do not actually involve a bomb. However, every bomb threat must be considered real and must be properly investigated to ensure the safety of building occupants.

Steps to Follow

Written Bomb Threat:

• Ensure the document is handled by as few people as possible.
• Turn the document over to DPS as soon as possible.
• If the threat is received via e-mail or voice mail, save it and notify Department of Public Safety immediately

Telephoned Bomb Threat:

• Remain calm and attempt to ask a nearby person to notify DPS.
• Pay attention to the phone display, if possible, and record the information on the phone window.
• Keep the caller on the line as long as possible and attempt to gather as much information as possible.

Questions to ask include (per Federal Bureau of Investigation guidelines):

• When is the bomb going to explode?
• Where is it right now?
• What does it look like?
• What kind of bomb is it?
• What will cause it to explode?
• Did you place the bomb?
• Why did you do it?
• What is your name?
• What is your address?

Information to gather about the caller:

• The exact wording of the threat
• Sex of the caller
• Age of the caller
• Race of the caller
• Length of the call
• Date and time the call was taken
• Any additional notes

Information to note about the sounds during the call:

• Is the voice familiar, and who does it sound like?
• What best describes the caller’s voice (calm, angry, excited, slow, rapid, soft, lound, etc.)
• Were there any background noises such as street noises, animal noises, clear, static, music, house noises, motor, factory, office.

Information to gather regarding the threat language:

• Educated or well-spoken
• Incoherent
• Foul
• Irrational/threats
• Taped
• Message being read