NCJ Number
60134
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS INSTRUCTOR'S MANUAL, DESIGNED FOR USE IN TRAINING PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL, PRESENTS A BOMB INCIDENT ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK, INCLUDING BACKGROUND, POLICY CONSIDERATIONS, AND PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENTS.
Abstract
THE CURRENT INCREASE IN BOMBINGS AND BOMB THREATS REPRESENTS THE REVIVAL OF A TRADITIONAL FORM OF VIOLENCE. THE PRESENT SITUATION IS DISTINGUISHED, HOWEVER, BY THE SOPHISTICATION OF EXPLOSIVE DEVICES AND THE WIDE GEOGRAPHIC SPREAD OF THE ACTIVITY. BOMBING APPEALS TO RADICAL FRINGE GROUPS BECAUSE IT OFFERS A PSYCHOLOGICALLY REWARDING, SIMPLE, AND RELATIVELY SAFE INSTRUMENT OF DEPERSONALIZED VIOLENCE, WITH GREAT POTENTIAL FOR TERROR AND PUBLICITY. PRELIMINARY DATA ALSO INDICATE THAT BOMBING WILL BECOME A MORE COMMON TOOL OF EXTORTION, CRIMINAL DIVERSION, AND HOMICIDE. ONLY ABOUT A DOZEN OF THE LARGEST PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES HAVE UNITS WITH EQUIPMENT AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL FOR HANDLING BOMB DISPOSAL. NEARLY EVERY PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY NEEDS HELP TO REACH A DESIRABLE PROFICIENCY LEVEL IN THIS AREA. HELP IS NEEDED REGARDING POLICY AND PROCEDURE, INCIDENT DATA, TRAINING, AND EQUIPMENT. CRITICAL DECISION AREAS IN BOMB INCIDENTS INCLUDE EVACUATION, SEARCHES, DAMAGE CONTROL MEASURES, HANDLING OF THE DEVICE, FINAL DISPOSAL, AND ARRESTS. POLICY QUESTIONS THAT MUST BE RESOLVED INCLUDE THE GOAL OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY RESPONSE, WHICH AGENCY WILL RESPOND, THREATS TO WHICH IT WILL RESPOND, DECISIONMAKING AT THE SCENE, AND REPORTING PROCEDURES. EFFECTIVE RESPONSE PATTERNS REQUIRE PROTECTIVE, TECHNICAL, AND INVESTIGATIVE SKILLS. PERSONNEL REQUIRED INCLUDE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS, BOMB SCENE OFFICERS, BOMB DISPOSAL TECHNICIANS, AND INVESTIGATORS. EVERY PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST ONE INDIVIDUAL TRAINED IN BASIC BOMB RECOGNITION, AND DAMAGE CONTROL PROCEDURES, TRAINING IS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE ARMY. OTHER FEDERAL TRAINING IS BEING PLANNED. FOR OTHER COMPONENTS OF THIS TRAINING PROGRAM, SEE NCJ 60132, 60133, AND 60138. (CFW)