UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 15, Page 8
December 15, 1994
Mail bomber also aims at academic targets

     According to an article in Synfax Weekly Report, a weekend mail
bombing in New Jersey was the work of the same bomber who has struck
targets associated with universities. In the past, similar bombings
have come in pairs, so precautions are recommended.
     Federal investigators have spent years trying to identify the
bomber, who has mailed or planted explosives since 1978. It is
believed he has struck twice at Northwestern University. He also has
bombed Vanderbilt University and the universities of Utah, California
at Berkeley and Michigan.
     According to the U.S. Postal Service, the common characteristics
of letter and parcel bombs are that they will
        * be Foreign, Priority or Special Delivery class,
        * be labeled Fragile, Rush or Handle with Care,
        * have excess postage and usually sent with postage stamps,
        * have a fictitious return address or none at all, be mailed
          to titles but not names and may bear misspellings of common
          words,
        * have oily stains of discolorations,
        * have excessive weight or uneven weight distribution,
        * have protruding wires, screws or other metal parts and
        * have excessive binding material, masking, electric or
          strapping tape, string or twine.
     If you are suspicious of a mailing:
        * do not open the article,
        * isolate the mailing and evacuate the area,
        * do not put in water or in a confined space,
        * if possible, open windows to assist in venting potential
          explosive gases, and
        * do not worry about possible embarrassment if the item turns
          out to be innocent. Contact your local police department and
          postal inspector for professional assistance.