Guidelines for Mail Processing

The following guidelines are offered to help you reduce the possibility of exposure to any terrorist threat that may be posed by mail processing. Any situation that meets the criteria listed below should be reported to Public Safety at 831-2222 in Newark and Wilmington, and 645-4333 in Southern Delaware. Tell them the manner of the threat and the specifics about what is happening and give them your exact location so they can find you.

BIOTERRIORISM SCREENING/RESPONSE:

Suspicious unopened letter or letter that appears empty
Place envelope in a plastic ziplock bag or glassine envelope.
Keep others away.
Wash hands and exposed skin (arms) with SOAP and WATER.
NOTIFY your supervisor, and University Police 831-2222 for Newark and Wilmington , and 645-4333 in Southern Delaware.
Examples of criteria that would raise suspicion:
Missing or unfamiliar return address
Excessive postage
Addressed to title (Ms. or Mr.) but no name
Misspelling of common words
Point of origin is a foreign country
Strange odor and/or stains or discoloration
Excessive securing material such as masking tape or string
Restrictive markings such as “personal” or “confidential”

Envelope with powder and powder spills out onto surface

DO NOT clean powder up. Keep others away.
WASH hands and exposed skin (arms) with SOAP and WATER.
DO NOT brush off your clothes.
NOTIFY your supervisor and University Police at 9-911 in Newark, 831-2222 in Wilmington , or 645-4333 in Southern Delaware.
REMOVE clothing and place in a plastic bag, as soon as possible. Close bag and place in second plastic bag. Clearly label and identify contents, retain for law enforcement, as it may be evidence.
SHOWER with SOAP and WATER at work if possible and if not as soon as possible at home. DO NOT use bleach or other disinfectant.
PUT on fresh clothing. MAKE a list of all people (names, addresses and phone numbers) who had contact with the powder and give to local public health authorities. They may be instructed to watch for fever or other symptoms over the next couple of days.

Package marked with threatening message such as "Anthrax.”

DO NOT OPEN.
LEAVE it and EVACUATE the room.
KEEP others from entering.
NOTIFY your supervisor, and University Police at 9-911 in Newark, 831-2222 in Wilmington ,or 645-4333 in Southern Delaware.

Aerosolization, small explosion, or letter stating "Anthrax in Heating System"

LEAVE room immediately. SECURE entry.
NOTIFY your supervisor, and University Police at 9-911 in Newark, or 831-2222 in Wilmington ,or 645 –4333 Southern Delaware. They will arrange with Facilities to shut down air handlers remotely if deemed necessary.
REMAIN on premises until responders arrive.
MAKE list of all people (names, addresses and phone numbers) who were in the building at the time and give to Public Safety at 831-2222 in Newark or 645-4333 in Southern Delaware. They may be instructed to watch for fever or other symptoms over next couple of days.


Modified from South Dakota Public Health 8/3/01


MAIL BOMB SCREENING/RESPONSE:

The following material is provided by the United State Post Office:

The likelihood of your ever receiving a bomb in the mail is remote. Unfortunately, however, a small number of explosive devices have been mailed over the years resulting in death, injury, and destruction of property.

What can you do to help prevent a mail bomb disaster? First, consider whether you or your organization could be a possible target. Some motives for mail bombs include revenge, extortion, love triangles, terrorism, and business disputes. Keep in mind that a bomb can be enclosed in either a package or an envelope, and its outward appearance is limited only by the imagination of the bomber. However, some unique characteristics of mail bombs may assist the identification of a suspect mailing. To apply these characteristics, it is important to know the type of mail your organization or your home receives.

Mail bombs may bear restricted endorsements such as "Personal" or "Private." These characteristics are important when the addressee does not usually receive personal mail at the office.
Addressee's name or title may be inaccurate.
Return address may be fictitious or not available.
Mail bombs may have distorted handwriting or the name and address may be prepared with homemade labels or cut-and-paste lettering.
Mail bombs may have protruding wires, aluminum foil, or oil stains and may emit a peculiar odor.
Cancellation or postmark may show a different location than the return address.
Mail bombs may have excessive postage.
Letter bombs may feel rigid, or appear uneven or lopsided.
Package bombs may be unprofessionally wrapped with several combinations of tape used to secure the package and may be endorsed
"Fragile-Handle With Care" or "Rush-Do Not Delay."
Package bombs may have an irregular shape, soft spots, or bulges.
Package bombs may make a sloshing sound. Although placed devices may buzz or tick, mailed bombs generally do not.
Pressure or resistance may be noted when removing contents from an envelope or package.

IF YOU ARE SUSPICIOUS OF A MAILING AND ARE UNABLE TO VERIFY THE CONTENTS WITH THE ADDRESSEE OR SENDER:

DO NOT OPEN.
Isolate the mailing and evacuate the immediate area.
Do not put it in water or a confined space such as a desk drawer or filing cabinet.
If possible, open windows in the immediate area to assist in venting potential explosive gases.
If you have any reason to believe a letter or package is suspicious, do not take a chance or worry about possible embarrassment if the item turns out to be innocent-instead, contact Public Safety at 9-911 in Newark, 831-2222 in Wilmington and 645-4333 in Southern Delaware for professional assistance.

Letter Package Bomb Indicators

If you are suspicious of a mailing and are unable to verify the contents with the addressee or sender:

DO NOT OPEN.
TREAT IT AS SUSPECT.
ISOLATE IT.
CALL THE UNIVERISITY POLICE, 9-911 in Newark, 831-2222 in Wilmington and 645-4333 in Southern Delaware.

Indicators for Letters

RESTRICTIVE MARKINGS
POSTMARK CITY DIFFERENT FROM RETURN ADDRESS CITY
EXCESSIVE POSTAGE
MISSPELLED WORDS
ADDRESSED TO TITLE ONLY
RIGID OR BULKY
BADLY TYPED OR WRITTEN
FICTITIOUS, UNFAMILIAR, OR NO RETURN ADDRESS

Indicators for Packages
FICTITIOUS, UNFAMILIAR, OR NO RETURN ADDRESS
STRANGE ODOR
LOPSIDED
OILY STAINS ON WRAPPING
WRONG TITLE WITH NAME
PROTRUDING WIRES

Modified from USPS Notice 71 - Bombs By Mail Notice 71, February 1998 Bombs by Mail

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