Suspicious Package

Letter and Parcel Bomb Recognition Checklist

What to look for:

• 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.