Suspicious Package

Letter and Parcel Bomb Recognition Checklist

If you see a suspicious package

• 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 alert others in the area. 
• Leave the area; prevent others from entering. Call the University Police at 617-627-6911. 
• Create a list of persons in the room where the package was received.

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 alert others in the area. Leave the area, close doors, and prevent others from entering by using signs or guarding. 
• Putting as much distance as possible between yourself and the package is the safest precaution. 
• Wash hands with soap and water. 
• Call the University Police at 617-627-6911. 
• Create a list of persons in the room where the package was received.