See also: 
Bomb Threats - Bomb Search
Bomb Threats - Analysis
Bomb Threats - Letter Bombs

• Balance - In letter bombs, device components may shift and tend to "unbalance" an item of mail leaving it feeling "unusual" as compared to other similar items of mail.
• Sweating - Some chemical used in explosives may  "sweat" and result in "greasy" marks on wrappings.
• Odours - Some of these chemicals may also give off unusual odours, which the human nose will quickly sense.  For example, the Okalahoma City bomb was constructed of nitrogen based commercial fertiliser. The next time you use garden or lawn fertiliser, note the smell.  Nitrogen explosive devices may emit the same odour. 
• Feel - Letters have a normal "feel".  Those that contain devices may simply not "feel" right, or they may be "stiff".  This can indicate the presence of plastic or metallic components as opposed to te normal paper stuffing.
• Packaging - Be very cautious of envelopes or packages, which are found within other packages.  This may be an attempt to mask or hide the actual explosive device.
• Addressing - Be cautious of items marked "To Be Opened Only By", or one which carries a strange place of origin, script, disguised or unusual writing or type, obvious misspelling or altering of words in the address field, or the lack of a return address.

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