INTELLIGENCE

FEDERAL
BOMB
INTELLIGENCE
 FEDERAL
BOMB
INTELLIGENCE

PALADIN PRESS
BOUIDER, COLORADO
F ederal B otnb I ntelli gence
:
U.S. Govqnttstt Guide nTerrorist Erybsives

Copyright @ 1991 by Paladin Press

rsBN 0-87364-6134
Printed in the United States of America

Publishd by Paladin Press, a division of

Paladin Enterprises, Inc., P.O. Box 13(I/,
Boulder, Colorado 80306, USA.
(303)43:t250

Direct inquires and/or orders to the above ad&ess.

All righs reserved. Except for rue in a review, no

portion of this book may be reproduced in any form
without the expess written permission of the publisher.

Neither the authornor thepublisher assutnes

my r€sponsibility for the use or misuse of
information contained in this book.
 CONTENTS

AUTOMOBtrJ BOMBINGS IN MOMREAL ............... .......... 8

BOOBY.TRAPPED FLIGIIT BAG

COLLAPSING CIRCUITRELAY AND PRESSI]RE-RELEASE SWTrcHES.................. ............... 14

CROATIAN SEPARATISTS BOOK 8OM8S................... 19

DETONA1ING CORD LETTER BOIVIBS....... .....................22

DrsAssEMBLy OF AUTOMOBILE BOMBS ..................... 28

DYNAMTTE BOMBTNGS IN QUNCX ILLINOIS.... ......... 33

ELECIRONIC DELAY CIRCIIIT .......

(ADDENDUM)
ELECIRONIC DELAYCIRCIIIT .............40

H(PLOSM BEUI BOMBING D8ATIIS................... .........45

FOREIGN BODY BOI\4S....... 48

GERMAN BOMBINGS

HIGH-HGLOSIVE PACKAGE BOMB......... ........................ 57

HOAX DEVICE WIfiI M{JUTIH.E, CIRCIIITS

IMPR.OVISED BLASTING CAPS .............. ,....................... 65

IMPROVISED HPLOSIVE DEVICES

IMPR.OVTSED HGLOSIVEDEVICEUSED IN CASINOEXTORIION ATTEMPT .....................73

IMPROVISED GAS OR H(PLOSTVB DEVICE.............. 75

IMPROVISED INSPECTION LAMPS ,.........,77

INCENDIARY DEVICES....

IRANIAN CONSI]LATEBOMBING ..............87

LBTTER BOMB E)NORIION PLOT......

H,TTER BOMBS .............................. 98

PACKAGE BOMB RECETVED BY U.S. EMBASSY.. ...... 106

a PHOTOELECTRIC FUUNG IN IMPROVISED H(PLOSTVE DEVICES.... ............. IO9

powDER AND LOW-E)(PLOSTVE BOMBS IN CAl.tS OR TUBES. ........................ 11?

SAN ruAN AUTOMOBILE BOMBING..

S HORT.DIJRATION TIMER...

SOLID-STAIE TIMINGDEVICE ................. 128

NLT-OPERATED DISGIIISED DEVICE.. ....1Y

TOOLS FOR THE BOMB TECHNICIAN ..... 138

u.s. BOMBTNGS .....................

vl
ARAB TERRORIST
BOMBS AND WEAPONS

BOMB DEVICES AND WEAPONS USED BY ARAB TERRORIST GROUPS.

SOURCE: Foreign.

Information has reeently been obtained about the bomb deviees and weapons
utitized by Arab terrorist groups in condueting terrorist aetivities outside the State
of Israel. This Special Teehnician Bulletin (STB) will inelude deseriptions and
photographs of these various deviees.

fie first item is a rrtaser type" weapon. By pushing one of the two buttons on top
of the deviee it operates as a flashlight. By operating the other button' two
eleetrieal darts are fired, releasing a high voltage eharge into the target.

FIGU RE I: TASER
A purse is used, as we all know, by most women 8s a personal aceessory. However,
it can also be used by terrorists to hide explosives. In faet' sorne of the Arab
terrorist groups use plrrses as booby traps. A woman's Purse is usually left in an
offiee or-airport lounge, and when it ii opened a spring deviee is released (the
button marke-d A in the photograph) activating the explosives.

*,..

FIGURE 2: PURSE

FIGURE 3: LOCK ON PURSE

 I

In e.ll aetuality a bomb ean be hidden in almost any type of container, bag or
paekage, depending upon its size and weight. The photo below depiets a bomb
eontained in a ?'Diet Pepsi" can. It is activated by simply pulling the tab opener on
top of the ean.
a

,i5

*
i,"

c
*
'i
&
{
J

ai

j FIcURE /r

j.

FIGURE s: BOl,lB CONTAINER OPENED

As just illustrated, the plaeement of an explosive charge is only limited by the
imagination. The suitcase below exemplifies this faet. The explosive device is
loeated in the handle of the suitcase. Any pressure exerted upon this handle will
activate the charge.

FIGU RE 6

FIGURE 7: SUITCASE HAXDLE INITIATOR

4
t

FIGURE 8

::' ::<
-\b

FIGURE 9
The lock on a piece of luggage ean rlso be used to harbor a deviee. In the photo
that follows both the explosive and activating deviee are loeated inside the suitease
loek. The electrie blasting eaps are eneased in explosive.

.k'

FIGURE IO

FIGURE I I: LOCK
 FIGURE l2: BIASTIilG CAP EI,IPLACEt'IENT

56 s57

FlGURE l3: BLASTING CAP

COMtIENT

Arab terrorist groups, as well as other types of subversives are apt to use all types
of various bomb deviees and weapons. The examples doeumented are just a few of
those being used throughout the world.
AUTOMOBILE BOMBINGS
IN MONTREAL

f-. Classlfication: Restrlcted Technical Data.

2.. Subject: Car Bmbhgs tn Montreal.
3. Soulce: Royat Canadlan Mounted bll.ce (n.C.U.p. ).
4. Backgrornd,: A message recelned fucn tbe R.e.M. P. bas advlsed of
two car bobings occunilrg ln Montreal, Qaebec, Canada on Lb Decenber
ltre R.C.M.P. has requested. that the conteats of tbls message be transnltteil
to erqlosive dlsposal technlcl.a.ns. FoUortng ts tbe message.

IECHNICAI, INTOTO{ffgtON

Fo]-lorrJlg prellninarry technlcal lnformatlon on subJeet iacldents

relayed for tbe a'rfareness of your erqllosive clislnsal teehnlcians.
Devlce 1. F\rnctlonecl causing errtrene lnJuries to rrehlcle operator.
Devlce 2. Parbtally f\:nctloned'. No Lnjurles.

three method.s of inltiatlon per devlce, ld.entleal in each caser as

follows:
Pr.j-narV nethod. l-. Nor.:o,al electrLeal eormectlons througb tgnttton
systeu to blastlng caps.
Seconda.:ry method. 2. Ibro large elarnp type electrlcal conneetorsi one
@; one +-o fa.n belt for contact wlth fan pulley on
start of engine. hesuoed. to ccmpleoent metbod I in event of mal-
f\rnction.
Booby trap method 3. Clothespln "W" sl,rltch with jaw lnsulator attached'
to hood..

$iplosive charges were l$dronex wlth pelrtoHte primer. Tno blasting

caps per d.eviee were of Ebropea.n narnrfacture-Schafiler (hraanit Nobe1)
wiuh twln green 1eg wires.
Suspect that a4dltional. stocks of l{ydrcmex and Schaffler caps are
aval].able as a resul-t of thef'bs in eastern Ontarlo.
BOOBY.TRAPPED FLIGHT BAG

t. Clauification: Rertricted Technical Data.

2. Subject: Booby-Trappcd Flight Bag.
3. Sourcc: Forcien.
4. Background: A recently reported foneign incident involved an improvised ex-
plosive device (IED) which had been booby trapped with intricate fuzinSl. The
fuzing was designed to assure detonation if the device were discovered intact and an
attempt made to dismantle it. In addition, the IED was designed to detonate on
disturbance or within a period of approximately 30 minutes, if not previously
disturbed.
TECI{NTCAL INFORMATION
General
The IED was a sophisticated device similar in design to those used by terrorist
groups. See figure 1. Recovered unarmed, the device incorporated a complex
electrical circuit which included anti-lift and anti-opening features in eombination
with collapsing (time-delay) circuits.
The fuzing contained two alternative circuits connected to a common detonator;
both circuits were to have been armed by a single action of the perpetrator after
he had placed the device in the target area. Once armed, the device was desiS:ned
to detonate as follows:
o Instantaneously, if the flight bag were unzipped.
r Within 3 1/2 minutes, if the flight bag were lifted.
e Within approximately 30 minutes, if the device u'ere not otherwise disturbed.
The fuzing system was eonstructed from two relays, one microsrn'itch, f.out 1 l/2
volt porver cells, and four 0.5 amp alarm fuses. Designed for one-time use, alarm
fuses (also called "grasshopper" fuses) are used in telephone sn'itchboards to indicate

9
an overloaded circuit. See figure 2. Each fuse contains a spring-like contact held
in position by a fusable element. When current flows through the element, it breaks
(like a fuse wire), allowing the spring-like contact to change position and operate
as a switch. Mounted on chipboard, the components of the fuzing system were
located in the bottom of the flight bag:, a^s illustrated in figure 1'

lnitiat Aruring Proccdure

The metal studs which secured the handles of the flight bag constituted the
arming contacts for the fuze. This enabled the bomber to safely transport the
device to the target area where it was to have been armed in place bf' the simple
insertion of a metal rod through the studs.

The metal to metal contact between the rod and the studs would have shorted
the arming contaets and completed the two circuits containing cells A and B and
fuses F1 and Fr, respectively. As illustrated in figure 3, when current from cell
A flows through fuse Fr, the fuse changes from its normal position to the energized
position and allows cell A to energize relay R. Similarly, when current from cell
B flows through fuse F1, causing it to change to the energized position, cell B is
placed in cireuit with relay NF. However, relay NF is not energized at this
point because its circuit is held open by the microswitch (which only closes when
the flight bag is picked up).

Time Delay rnd Anti.Opening Circuit

Once cell A has been placed in circuit with relay R through the functioning of
fuse Fr, relay R, which is a double pole relay, closes contacts Re and Br. Contacts
Rg and Rr are in circuit with two additional cells (C and D) which are incorporated
in the circuit to provide power to the detonator.
When relay R is energized, it causes contact Rz to assume its energized position,
placing fuse Fr in circuit with cells C and D. The functioning of fuse Fz places cells
C and D in cireuit with the detonator and contact Rr. Contact Rr is open while
relay R is energized and thus the detonator will noi function until relay R de-ener-
gizes and allows contact R, to close. Relay R can become de-energized through
either of two ways:
o When cell A, holding relay R in the energized position, has its energy consumed
(within approximately 30 minutes), it is no longer capable of powering rela]'R.
Relay R thus becomes de-energized, contact Rr closes, and thi firing circuit to
the detonator is completed.
. An anti-opening feature built into the zipper of the flight bag is also incorpo-
rated in the circuit containing cell A and relal' R. Consisting of pieces of n'ire
laced through the zipper, the anti-opening device conducts the current from
cell A to relay R. As long as the zipper remains undisturbed, the circuit remains
unbroken; however, if an attempt is made to open the zipper, the circuit col-
lapses instantaneously, de-energizing relal' R and eausing the device to detonate
as described above.

10
 \

External View

Internal Views
Figure l. Booby-Trapped Flight Bag

11
 Figure 2. Alarm (Grasshopper) Fuse

R2 R1
o

RET"AY R

rTi
ELI4Y-[Li

MICRO SWTTCH

A. NORIVIAL POSITION RELAY R =DOUBLE POLE- DOUBLE THROW

O ENERGIZED POSMON RELAY NF = TRIPLE POLE- DOUBLE THROW

Figure 3. Fuzing System

12
{
+ Anti-Lift Circuit
fI In addition to the anti-opening feature, an alternate booby trap triggered by a
i
I microsrvitch u'as incorporated in the circuitrl' of the IED. This feature, an anti-lift
device, rvas designed to detonate the IED within 3 l/2 minutes if the flight bag
w'ere lifted with the arming rod in place. Lifting the bag would permit the micro-
switch to close, allorving cell B to energize relay NF, a triple pole relay which oper-
ates contacts NFr, NFr, and l'[Fg. When NFg assumes the energized position, it closes
an alternate circuit which maintains current from cell B to energize relay NF. (An
irreversible action, once the microsu'itch is closed, the IED will detonate within g l/2
minutes even if the flight bag were set down again and the microsrvitch re-opened.)

When contact NF2 assumes the energized positiott, it allows current from cells C
and D to flow through fuse Fg, causing it to assume the energized position. In
this position, fuse F3 places cells C and D in circuit with the detonator and contaet
NFt. Contact NFr in its energized position remains open with respect to the circuit
containing cells C and D and the detonator. Relay NF rapidly consumes the energy
of cell B and de-energizes, causing contact NFr to assume its de-energized position.
This allows current from cells C and D to flow to the detonator, completing the
firing circuit.
COMMENT

This device was well designed. The fuzing incorporates three means of detonation
including a unique delay in the anti-lift mechanism. Although a dismantling pro-
cedure was not applied to this device, it should be emphasized that it was designed
to detonate 30 minutes after being armed.
Do not use cryogenics because it would hasten the decay of eells A and B, and
cause the device to detonate.

t3
COLLAPSING CIRCUIT RELAY AND
PRESSU RE.RELEASE SWITCH ES

l. Clarification: Rcrtricted Tcchnical Data.

2. Subject: Collapring Cir,cuit Relay and Prccaurc Relcarc Switchcr
3. Source: Canadian Bomb Data Centrc (CBDC).
4. Background: Through the courtesy of the Boyal Canadian Mounted Police,
CBDC Technieal Bulletins and are reprinted below. This information
is being disseminated to NBDC participants because the switches involved in the two
devices and the manner in which these incidents were handled are siSnificant.

TECHNICAL INFORMATTON

CBDC Tcchnical Bullctin

A small pipe bomb, which had been placed beneath a "Mobile Canteen" truck
parked in the driveway of a private residence, functioned causing an estimated $1000
damage to the target vehicle and surrounding area.

Montreal Urban Community Police Technical Section personnel attended the

scene and reported:

The device had been placed midway between the front and rear wheels on the
left hand (driver's) side of the vebicle.
A crater in the asphalt surface of the driveway, marking the point of deto-
nation, measured 7 7/2 inches in diameter and 2 l/2 inches in depth.

The majority of fragments pierced the target vehicle in the beverage and food
storage area. Some fragments struck a second vehicle parked on the oppo-
site side of the driveway parallel to and in line with the target. Seven pipe
fragments struck or passed through n'ooden garage doors to the rear of the
truck.

In all, 5? pipe fragments, not including other device components, were

recovered and photographed. The maiority of pipe fragments collected
showed threads indicating the possible use of a coupling. (Extensive thread-
ing of the container would also increase the fragmentation effect). See fig-
ure 1.

t4
 I t t -t
I f a lr:
t't t I t?
I ,aIJD PIPE REDUCER

t 6 €' a
ta6rlat
e ,l I lrsr -
{ rrr l-tiJ.
PIPE FRAGMENTS

Figure 1

Device Components

Container. A 1 I/2- to 2-inch diameter mild steel coupling with one end
ffiGdTy a cast iron cap. The opposite end was partially closed with a cast
iron reducer through which electrical leads extended from the detonator to the
firing eircuit.
Explosive Charge. The pipe fitting is thought to have been dynamite filied.

Initiator. Electric blasting cap of unknown type.

15
 Model 6c1 Perma-
Power sources. Two l.5-volt General Electric, Type "AA" with snap'on
comprete
?tn*ffi"di;;J;; a white plastic
See figure 1.
batterv
The
horder
purpose of this power source
tVpL
was to"f".tti."t "oon"ciot.
oPerate the delaY circuit'
These batteries con'
Two 9-volt Duracell alkaline batteries, Model MN1991. to the electric blast-
stituted the poweri
it'
ing cap. See figure 1.

Thc
Delay. An encased electrical relay of unknon'n model or manufacture'
held open' breaking the cir'
i"-"rrv .i;;.;;".tt-l*itrtin thl-relav) were on of the
cuit, by the power'li trt"'t*o r.r.vott "44" batteries'permitted
depletion
to close and
from this p"*"i source the contacts would be
voltage
complete the firing circuit.
circuit- in such a
Light. A small pilot light was wired into the relay
Pilot would then pro-
frifrffi;" iir"*i""t!-*r,.n-trt" relay was activated.. This(relay)
indication-that the delay circuit was fune-
vide the .,bomberJ *itft
tioning as intended. "o

Arming/SafetyS.q!tch.Asinglepolesinglethrow(oN/oFF)armingswitch
rvas incorporated ffi" f;ti";circuit (fisures 1 and 2) u'hich permitted the
delay circuit electri-
bomber to safely transport and place the deviee with the
glowing pilot ligtrt- would indicate the de-
cally connected. On.. placed, ihe
la1, pon'er was sufficiently strong uni the arming switch
could be safely moved
to the "ON" position.
Other Componente

Various types and lengths of electrieal wiring'

Black Plastic eiectrical taPe'

I
K
-t

B2

L__ _--J lr
BI - RELAY POWER R2 - ELECTRIC
BLASTING CAP
82 - FIRING CIRCUIT PO$JER SW- ARMING SAFETY SWITCH
K - RELAY NO - NORMALLY OPEN CIRCUIT

RI - PILOT LIGHT NC - NORMALLY CLOSED CIRCUIT

Figure 2

16
Conetnrction

The electrical delay fuzing system components; relay, relay power source, pilot
Iight, detonator power source and safety /arming switch had all been taped to the
external surface of the device. Only the detonator and explosive charge were inside
the container (pipe).

Comments

Electrical checks of the two recovered power source cornponents revealed that:

of the trvo AA batteries (relay power source), one was completely devoid of
charge rvhile the second registered approximately 1 volt; and

although badly mutilated, the trvo g-volt Duracell batteries (detonator power
source) each still registered between 6 and ? volts.

It can be readily appreciated that a thorough and extensive sweep of the in-
cident area had been conducted following the functioning of this device. Identifiable
parts of all components were recovered allowing:

reconstruction and determination of the functioning method; and

the provision of a maximum of physical evidence to assist investigators.

CBDC Technical Bullctin

The recipient of a threatening phone call searched the area surrounding his
home and, buried in a garden at the side of the house, discovered a sealed 6 - 8 ounce
glass bottle partially filled with liquid and containing what appeared to be a mecha-
nism wrapped in a rag. Police were notified and informed of the threat and sub-
sequent discovery.

The attending police bomb technician carefully exposed the complete jar by
removing the dirt from around it. The jar was next taped to a sling and remotely
deposited into the bin of the transport vehicle. On arrival at a safe area the device
was remotely removed from the bin and placed on a bed of straw for attempted dis-
mantling.

The following sequence took place:

The lid of the container, a glass coffee jar, was removed.

The rag rvas carefully extracted.

It was then noted that the rag was tightly wound around what could pos-
sibly be two penlight batteries and a vial.

The possibility was considered that, if in fact these components were enclosed
by the tightly bound cloth, a pressure release switch could also be an integral
component.

L7
 An attempt was made to open the unknown component assembly with the use
of an electrical blasting caP.

On firing, a high order detonation resulted, completely destroying the device.

THISINFORMATIoNISoFFEREDASGENERALKNoWLEDGEoNLY
FOR ADOPTION IN
AND IS NOT INTENDED AS A CONCLUSIVE PROCEDUREpRocEDURES (RSp's)
LIKE cIRcuMSTaNcns. GuARANTEED RENDER SAFE POSSIBILITIES
FON IPO'S CANNOT BE PREDEFI}'IED DUE TO THE UNLIMITED
IN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION'

Cornrnentc
to reveal anY
An exhaustive search of the area following detonation failed the
components or component parts' Technicians on the scene suggest PossibilitY
that the device was composed of :
2 Penlight batteries
an electric blasting caP

a vial of nitroglYcerine, and

an electrical pressure release type switch
If this was the case and an untrained, unsuspecting person had attempted
resulted'
identification and dismantling, serious injury or death could have

18
CROATIAN SEPARATISTS
BOOK BOMBS

EOOK EOMBS SENT BY CROATIAN SEPARATISTS

SOURCE: Domestic.

Continued unrest in an uneasy middle European melting Pot occasionally erupts il_t[t
United States. The two incidents mentioned in this FBt Bomb Data Center (BDC)
bugetin are thought to have been perpetrated by pqrticipants in this eontroveNy -
individuals from the northwestern Yugoslavian region of Croatia.

The inclusive boundary of the present nation Yugoslavia was established in

eneompassing several Cmaller national entities wnich have not entirely surrendered their
individual ethnic eharaeters to the eonglomerate state. Serbs, Croats, Slovenesr and
Montenegrins have, for example, eontinued to foment rebellion, with the areas of
eontentiSn being defined by racial ties. During the past 60 years fae9t9 of this eonfliet
have waxed and waned. the exigeneies of religion (Roman Catholieism vs. Eastern
Orthodory) the rise of Nazism and the attendant German oeeupation of Yugoslavia; and
the establishment of the Tito government in Belgrade helped <l'etermine the
allianees and enmities of this eivil unrest.

Although a Croat by birth, Tito used a Serbian power base to gain aseension and qni{V
his div-erse nation. His lack of sympathy toward other ethnie formations within
Yugoslavia, ineluding Croatia, led to separatist movements within the^ aggtieved
communities. Advocltes of Croatian separatism today inelude a speetrum of ideologies
from former Nazi supporters to leftists who dislike the present regime. In spite of this'
most Croatian dissidents are nonviolent.

Frequently, however, it is through the aetivities of the minority who do esPouse

violenee that Croatian separatism is known ouGide Yugoslavia. For example, Croatian
separatists were responsible for a multi-faceted incident during September, It
ineluOed both an aircraft hijaeking and the emplaeement of an improvised explosive
device (IED) in a New York City terminal. While no injuries were sustained by the
passengers in flight between New York and Chieag:o, one New York City poliee offieer
was killed and three others wounded during a render safe attempt at Rodmanrs Neek,
New York. The terrorists demanded, as part of this incident, that leaflets detailing
their grievanees be dropped over London and Paris. Their request during an.August'
incident was somewhat more eomplieated. Two terrorists took over the West
German Consulate in Chieago and held several hostages, while demanding that a
Croatian extremist incareerated in West Germany not be extradited to Yugoslavia. This
situation was concluded without injuries. The IED whieh were reeently mailed by
Croatian terrorists, and whieh this bulletin addresses, eomprise less speetaeular, but no
less dangerous, ineidents. One of these eases and the IED recovered is diseussed in
detail below. Both bombs were alike.

19
The Incidet
During the morning of February 26 a Catholic priest in Milw-aukee, Wiseonsin,
receiied a bulky nianila envelope through the mail. It bore a misspelled version of his
name, his addrlss, and the reiurn addless of an individual with whom he had been
for several years. An FBI Agent, coineidentally talking to the priest,
reeognized the package tL Ue suspicious, grabbed it from the elergaman, and took it to a
""qr"int"O
courlyard. MiiwaukEe Poliee Department bomb squad Dersonnel were summoned to
examine the suspicious paekage. An explosive disposai teehnician, attempted a hand
entry render safe proeedure and suffered the loss of part of his index finger when the
blasting eap exploded.
The Deviee

The device was enelosed in a hollowed-out book, an anthology of short stories measuring
approximately 6 1/2 inches by 8 ll2 inehes by 1 3/4 inehes. It contained one 9 volt
evlreaOy transistor radio batiery and two, naf-stiet<s of eommereial dynamite-(Atlas
n0% gefitin), measuring approximately 3 inehes .by 3/ ineh in diameter. Additional
oo*p6nents ineluded a Stasting eap and a loop switeh. See Figures 1 and 2. The entire
IED was sealed in two envelopes for mailing.

t''\44. i dffi{<-_da

20
 lin- trd.d br
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E bcdd . &rr!s
hdt Bb.aito rli.t
G i2rnlt lm kt
?rro Ic d d{d, pa C
',.!i.--t:r ,1 it6 Fra bdl dio\ 16
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bnL-l he q .lFs d dnr'
qF,r.rlltd,*Flrrbd-
tl*
ffi
tur;
hs d@64 ad rc d;
UE Tt&s dur FdC
f
. " ,,' .,..'-
tr lrri rr x. Qr*o x +r{ o brandedi b?dtia
i . '' ,.r::,,r.
..g'
I
J ' h*l be.^ crd rtr Irlcdrrl
dFr G *.rrd .-! rn t;
bud1. lt i r oirtrk c: .i0
, r,1l X$''F ra Etsdt FiD; 6iE r .dt llc Fid
ir. " ,. ,. l, ., :i Or il rhn r isl'- jilc ltr tld proll: *b iia bre 6n6'r
u, :.j . -i!ts |
-
b rlr<i $ la Cliilt@?- ff ldl sre Er. d a' ;<
rc .1' : (-.-d lr "
,'r&try! .rt. 6/,;r:.! I
.} i -*-t';r*'Jut
odir'-. od rh gGr
l-!,-+
irn F @aib \
FIGURE 2: OPEN ]ED.

The dynamite was scattered about the hollowed portion of the book but faiied to
detonate, thus sparing the life of the teehnieian. Following hours of extensive surgery,
this individual is reeuperating.

2t
DETONATING CORD
LETTER BOMBS

,. Cle3ritication: R?rtriclcd Trchnicrl Drlr.

2. Subi!cr: 0.lon.ting Cord L?ttcrbom!3.

3. Soutc!: Focign.

IITRODUCTIOT AIO BAO(GROUilO

Improvised explosive deviees (IED) sent through the mail a.e a eonstant threat to person and property in this age
of de-it-yourself terrorism. Prominent businesses and individuals eonsidered likely targets must constandy b€
on guard. The three letterbombs described in this publication were sent to such potential targets: a state premier,
a governor general, and a prime minister; all high ranking offieials from the same eountry. One letterbomb func*
tioned prior to delivery, injwing two people; two were intereepted and disarmed.
Subsequent analysis of the eomponents from the three letterbombs served to further verify their similarity. ln
addition to being mailed in nearly identieal, hand printed envelopes, there were striking similarities in the firing
mechanisms and in the use of detonating eord as the explosive charge. Although the FBI Bomb Data Program
(BDP) has published severd bulletins dealing with mail bombs, only the identical letterbombs detailed in lB
eontained detonating eord as the explosive filler.

TEGI{XICAL lt Fonlil ATl0l

On November 19, a mail elerk opened an envelope addressed to the state premier, and plaeed its eontents
on a work desk. Although no one was handling the deviee when it exploded, two publie service employees were
injured by the blast. The main foree of the explosion was apparently projeeted downward, leaving a hole 8 inehes
in diameter in a 3/4 ineh plywood desk top. Some of the damage ean be seen in Figure l. Two components, identi-
eal to those in the otier letterbombs, were photographed on the floor near the desk. See Figure 2. Later that
same day and on , lette$ombs addressed to the prime minister and the governor general, respectively,
were intereepted before delivery and dismantled by poliee and army explosive ordnanee disposal (EOD) teehnieians.
Prior to diseover-v of the third IED, a written threat was received by a daily newspaper.

FIGURE I: DAMAGE TO DESX OII WHICH LETTERBOVB I1AS PLACEO

22
 31,

FIGURE 2: FUZIIG UECHAXIST4 ATD 8A?TERY PHOTOGRAPHED FOLLO}|ITG EXPLOSIOX

The IED were eontained in similar buff or manila eolored envelopes that opened from the end. Average envelope
dimensionswereapproximately9inehesby4inehes. A23/4inehby4l/2inchhandprintedaddressstiekerwas
sttaehed to eaeh envelope, and the wor& PRESS RELEASE KII were p?inted at the bottom of eqeh label. As
can be seen in Figure 3, the printing on the envelopes and the threat letter is identieal. Pages from a November
issue of Time magazine were used to wrap the deviees prior to inserting them into the envelopes.

m*mtrl.
rii ' for?nt
tHE
lllnornrnlismlQ *:..:
rlr ttntl 5Y.
€aotaouFru aoo'1
YO
tn
.{-- ltrft. ErltttFl
. rlotLrnf
.,- lrn.rrr'l rov i
.

tlEll Havc f,n9 r xt D t'lltr otloLlr(

'tr t,r lr c ai u
a'rrr^ {DrF*Aer.f ..13 rrD totr I o roh T 5E gltr .-l!
.

r$r rcrr" rt*. gllli gnDgbua

Lnt*s!: uru. BE mrlRocro

m Etf55 Alr t qSf rl: , gnfFle lJots Lr? rr{€ .otoFLEs

:,*r,gtftll EgYEPnilEnf
:.: isgr,rrgn. to

-;*'/
''-: ;-,='l- '
orrrrr

1*f L:3i/pFn0g E:fltp Pr

re
ffi S.,,ffiliii*:::x,
'\-"..r'
Ft,'" r'
tHi+l
GUventimS!-i 1 -i',Lt5I Pi;; ;': '

I
t

sa i 1:r IP-i- i P Sq x, a

FIOURE 3: COMPARISOil OF PRINTII{G OII EIIYELOPES AIID THREAT LETTEF

23
The l€tterbomb addresserj to the prime minister was received by postal bag, in-tereepted prio.r to delivery without
tne use of deteetion equiprnent, and disarmed by a poliee bomb teehnieian. After being retrieved from a postal
depot, the letter to the g'overnor general was subieeted to an X-ray examinetion. Through this examination, au-
th6rities were able to piipoint ani identify a small eircular battery, an .eleetrie blasting eap,.some wiring, a small
spring, and straight pins.'See Figure 4. A less distinet image of two eoils of eord-like material was also detected.
C"nO?'1. safe proiedures (RSP) wire condueted b-v military EOD personnel after studying the X-ray
photograph.

i"n ;{:

':. .: ' , r?.:{: ::f T P.; _: ' '-. .

lior*r :':::l;,t
"itJ:iS,r$;-1l ^.

t' _',tt: !
'!

F lctlRE 4: X-RAY PH0T0 0F DEVICE SEIIT T0 G0VEEll0F GEll ERAt

The RSP sequenee began with the envelope being taped upside do"n on a elipboard. Bcth ends of the }etter were
elamped to prevent movement of the cBrdboard flap eovering the trigger meehanism. This precautionarv measure
was.also taken to ensure thBt no rnovement of the Sattery oeeurreci, sjnee an indistinet image in this area eould
not be positiveiy identified from the X-rav photograph (this iater proved to be a rubber band used to hold a eardboard
(approximatel-"- t i inehes
seetionin plaee over the battery). A sealpel *as*used to make a eross-shaped ineision
irom the biasting eap) through the enveiope and its inner wrapping of Time magazine pages' This-proeedure exposed
the biasting eap*leg wires, aiiowing them to be eut and the blasting eaF-T6-be remo'u'ed. Ilorking from this same
opening, th"e baek Jl the envelope ias carefully removed to reveal the remaining eontents. See Figure 5.

24
 i
lD I

I
t
\ t
rE\
\<{a#
.-,9 |
l1

{arr-.-- -'^,'

*
T|IIEFF_ -=-]5;t*'"
->-dF.t

FIGURE 5: C0t{TENTS 0F LETTEBEoMB SEtIT

The following is a comPosite descriptlorr of how the letterDombs were eonstrueted: IED components were mounied
with eellulose tape and epoxy on an 8i inch by 4 ineh piece of eardboard firted with a 4 ineh by 2 ineh hinged
end flap. A Nc.6 electtie blastrng cgp provlded the mesns of initiation, and the power souree was a l.S volt dise-
Shaped Mallory trattery eommonly u<ed in pholographic equrprnent. Itlires frorn the blasring cap and fuzing mechanisrn
were held in positicn on the b$ttery by a stnriler section of cardbosrd anchored with a rubber land. Detoiating
cord filled wilh pentaerythritol teiranitrete (PETN) was usccj as the expiosive charge. l,engrhs of deronalne e;rd
were !aped on eitfrer side of lhe lED. witlr the shorter sections olBced on the side oceupiedby the battery. 6s
shown in Figure 6, the letterbomb naiied to the prime minister eontained five, 7 ineh lengths and six,4 ineh lengrhs
of detonating eord with s total expiosive eontent of approximatel-"- lli grams of PETN. Cellulose tape had been
wrapped around the ends of the detonating eo!"d to prevent loss of the PETN fiiler. The deviee sent to the governor
general eonsisted of two longei lengths (eontaining approximately 15 grams of PETN), each eoiled in a loop-type
eonfiguration (refer to Figure 5).

25
 ,-< { jc,

..:Y

FIGUF€ 6: LETTEREOMB MAILED TO PRIME MIIIISTE R

Construetion of the fuzing mechanism. or firing switch, illustrated in Figure 7 was as follows: A pieee of 8 ineh
by li ineh white paper wai rolleC tightly to fcrm a li ineh long tube. This tube was eemented near the hinged
end fiap portion of the mounting board, .A seetion o{ gray insulated wire was attaehed to a blBsting eap ieg wire
and passed over one end (away from the flap) of the paper tube, terminating in a soldered loop positioned over
the end of the tuoe. The other blasting eap leg wire was fastened to the battery. A seeond length of gray wire
running from the bstterv was fitteci with e spring and passed'rhrough the paper tube. The spring.was similar to
those found in retraetabie ballpoint pens. and was held in piaee b]'one straight pin plaeed through the wire direetly
beneath the spring. Tc allow for greater leverage in foreing the eardboard end flap open, a )engJth of wire insulation
was stuek onto a seeond pin, and ihe pin was weCged lengthwise along the spring. This w'ire from the battert was
run eompletelt through the tube and out beyond the soidereC ioop. A ball of soider larger in Ciameter ihan the
soldered ioop was then BttBehed at ihe enc ol ihis length ol rvire.

With the end flap closed and the IED inside the envelope, the spring would be tight against the paper tube, foreing
the solder bali away from the soldered loop. Opening the envelope and removing the inner wrapping of magszine
pages would free the end flap and release the spring tension, allowing the soidered ball and loop to make eontact,
eompleting the eireuit.

26
 SOLOEB EALL

FIRED
s0t0ERE0 t00P
ARVED

U{IRE FNOM BtISTIXG GAP

PTPEN TUEE

SPRITG

PIII TO HOLD SPR]XG

IX PLACE

WIRE FROM BATTERY

sEoor0 Pm Alr0 PtEcE 0F

IXSULITIOII FOR LEVERAG E

rlcURE 1: ABTIST'S C0xCEPTl0rl 0F FUZIt{G uECHAtlls\{

coMuEr{T

As illustrated by the explosive deviees diseussed in this bulletin, tightened seeurity is imperative in deteeting
mail bombs. Nevertheless, an oeeasionai deviee will explode while in the mail system before it ean be deteeted
and dearmed. This laet underiines the need for proper training with emphasis on exereising eaution. when dealing
with situations whieh eould involve use of the mails to transport explosive deviees to likely targets.

The disorming procedwe in this bulletia i.s presented os generol informati.on only, ond is not intended os o conclusive
method 1o be used in similor circumstonces. There are no saf e procedures for disorming /ED, since con.struction
metho& ore limlted only by the imogination ond resources of the individuol(s) who bufld explosive cievices.

27
DISASSEMBLY OF
AUTOMOBILE BOMBS

l. Clr33ilic.tion: f,crtriclrd Trciricrl Drlr.

t. Suiilcl: l||lcnobih BomDirg lnGidGnlr olrlng ltiisi ocYicc 0i3lr3rnblt rlr Etfrctcd.

3. S.rlcc: Errlcrir.ord[nsr 0i.rcr.l (€001 T..n, U.S. M.rln. Ccrr!, qllrficc, Vlrglni..
Gla[drlc Drlicr orprrlnent, Glclldtla, Irlrcr..
t l.n Cirt Pollc., t.l.l, o|ttto.

l. B.ctgromd: Imprwised explosive deviees (IED) planted in automobiles appear to be in voguc these days. Sueh
ineidents may be popular beeaLrse. in our mobile soeiety, the bomber ean carry out more rcretively a personal
vendetta against a speeifie individual after studying his daily driving habits.

Ttre vehicle's eleetrieal system ean eontribute to the bomberts mears; easy aeeess, add to his 9qP9!!@; and
life's rigors, provide an abundanee of motives.
This bulletin eonteins deseriptions of three automobile bombing incidents reponted to the FBI Bomb Data Program
(BDP). tn each instanee a disassembty process was used. These procedues are presented in order that trained
bomb teehnieians ean remain aware of teehniques employed during aetual bomb dismantling situations. Every
ineident is difllerent and may neeessitate the ceevaluation or improvisation of procedues used by other technieians.

5. Incident No. l: Hoqr Device PlocedUnderVedcleWheel,

Both a wsrning note and a $spect paekage were discovered beneath the left front tire of an automobile by the
owner. Withi;the parcel was a nbombrr, srbsequently determined tobe a hoo< eontlining no explosive material.
The package was rimoved to E remote area and clismantled by military personnd. No motiv€ for this ineident
has been determined.

The hoax IED was enelosed in adhesive tape and consisted of a screw. a metal rod formed into a ring, and four
sections of a broom handle painted red !o simulate sticks of dynatnite. A 9 volt battery !8s a]so attached to the
item. Twowiresconneetedthesimulateddytamitetothemetalringandscrew. Aportionof wirewithinthe
ringwasstrippedof insulation. Thesegomponentscomprisedthe-initiatingswitch,tobeclosedbytheFessrre
of ihe wheel'over the device. Figure I is ah artist's concegtion of this segment of the device.

28
 FIGURE l: IRTIST'S COICEPT 0F PoRT|0X 0F IED USEo lt lt0l0glT t0. I
DISMAITLIIG PROGIOURE

l. The battery, which had become separated from the body of the deviee, was removed.

2. The IED was X-rayed and the tape carefully eut to gain aeeess to the interior components.

3. A search for the detonator led to the diseovery that the deviee was a hoor. It was $Jbsequen0y eompletely
disassembled.

6. Incident No. 2: Pipe Device and Propane Tark.

A pipe device eontained in a shoe box was discovered by the intended vietim beneath the fuel tank of his vehiele;
a partially full one gallon gasoline ean was plaeed next to the box. Law enforeement Personnel were stmmoned.
A police bomb teehnieian examined the automobile for additional IED, covered the box with a bomb blanket 8nd
remotely removed the suspected items from beneath the vehicle. Then the automobile was moved and the technieian
subsequently dismanUed the IED eontained in the shoebox.

Ttre deviee consisted of a 7 t/2 ineh length of I ineh diameter pipe and a 13 l/2 ineh by 2 3/4 ineh propane tenk.
The bottom of the tank protruded from an open end of the shoebox. The pipe was capped and filled with an un-
identified powder. A bared bridge wire wes inserted through one cap, resting in a small guantity of unidentified
powder. There were three plastic vials, and a battery holder with four size'rC" batteries within the tED.

29
 FTGUEE Z: tE0 USED lt llClDEtT 10.2.

A 60 minute timer was affixed to the protruding end of the propane tank. Two nails were fastened to it, one to the
rotating hand and the other to the base near the'rzero'r marking. They were positioned to contaet one another
when an hour cycle had been compieted. An alligator clip was attached to each nail, A rvire connected one cIiP
with the pipe bomb bridge wire. The seeond wire from the pipe was eonnected to the positive terminal of the
power souree. See Figure 3. This cireuit was completed by a wire from the negative terminal to the seeond cliP
and nail. This eonneetion also contained a switeh, appearing to be an a?ming or ssfety mechanism. ln addition'
there was a line between the positive power terminal and one of the nail clips. A portion gf the rvire was stripped
of insulation and inserted into the powder.

OISMAIITLIlI G PROCEOURE

1. The IED, whieh was tieking, and the adjaeent fuel can were eovered with a bomb blanket while the vehicle
was cheeked for other deviees and moved.

, The timer was visible, and its eycle appeared to be near completion. It was held still and the alligator elips
removed.

3. The four batteries were diseonneeted and temoved.

4. The partially disassembled IED was again eovered with the bomb bianket and removed to a safe area for complete
dismantling.

This proeedue eontains I praetical demonstration of one of the uses of bomb handling.equiPmglt. An item srch
as a bomb blanket ean be employed at intewals during the dismantling process to provide en added qrargin of safety
anO nefp eontain evidence sh6uli a detonation oceu. Note that in this instanee the technieian carefully examined
and then rernoved the vehicle from the vicinity of the IED.

30
FIGUBE 3: OIAGRIM OF IED USED IT IiCIOIIT X0.2.

3t
 7. btcident No. .?: Irpo-Part Ptpe Bomb-

A two-part IED fell from beneath an automobile while it was being driven from a driveway. The deviee' whieh
in"fuO"i ntl" pipes fiUed with smokeless powder, was partiatty diimantled at the scene by loeal law enforeement
UomU squaO persinnA. It was then removed to I safe area for eomplete disassembly.

The larger portion of the deviee was attaehed to the vehiele muffler with magnets, andeonsisted
of two l0 ineh
oi t-it|. ineh diameter eappeo pipes and the initiating eom-ponents. Eaeh pipe.eontained.a 9.u!!tity of-powder-
tnt"" *gments of uniirsutaieo wire. eonneeted in parallel. These assemblies were wired into an eleetrieal
oii""ii compiiseo of a test switeh withiamp, an off-on switch, I mercury switeh, a thermal of
"io coil,.and four size
1/2 ineh diameter
batteriis eonneeted in series. The other portion of the IED eonsisted of a 6 ineh lenglh
'ib"
pipe, also f illed with smokeless powdel and a trio of bared wire bridges. tt was situated above the vehiele's
fuif tari< and wired into the eommon initiating system. Portions of the IED were wrapped in tape.
""pp"O

The lamp switeh was probably used after positioning the bomb to ensrre thet the mercry switeh.was open.
If
in. f"rfi did not light, tne third switeh could be pla-eed in its "on" position, arming the deviee. .This
test would
from the ear muffler was apparently intended to initiate the arm€d
;;;"td;; r"l"ry elieet< for the bomber. Heat this
inO. fn. expansion of the thermal egil from heat would shift the mercury switeh enough to elose it and
complete the eircuit.

OISUAlITLI'IG PBOCEOUNE
I

l. Im mediate vieinity evaeuated.

2, Ttre teehnieian, wearing body armor and shield, approached the device, visually examined and photqraphed
it.
3. To test for possible antidishrrbance meehanisms, the IED was rernotely tumbled, and allowed to remain upoide'
down for ten minutes.
4. IED remotety inserted into bomb basket and positioned in transport vehiele for removal to safe area.

5. At the dismanUing site, the device was allowed to rest for 30 minutes befo-re being remotely removed from
the trsn*ort vessel and protective container, and positioned on a clay surfaee.

6. The fuze was separated from the main eharges. A 3? mm gas gun eontaining S0 grams o! !!a-ck powder propellant
was used to drive two wooden wedges ttrrougn the lED. Ttere was a standdf distanee of 28 inehes between
the gun muzzle and the device.
i[
7. Ttre two laryest pipes were opened remotely using a tape and line method.
I
il
i1
8. The wires to the smallest pipe wer€ eut at a non+oldere4 taged eonnection before its end esP was removed.
il
ii
I

tncorporated into this procedre were several perioG during whieh the IED was not disturbed in any way. 1!tis
I
I

I it , ri,t" praetiee, andlhould be followed whenever feasible. A bomb ean be-deigned to detonate 8t 8 pcedetermined
I
interval ifter disiurbance, and moving a suspeet item ean catse accidental diseonnections or eontacts. leading
I
[o Oetonation. lf a liquid component is presint, this waiting period can allow any seePage to become evident.
i

32
DYNAMITE BOMBINGS
IN QUINCY, ILLINOIS

l. Chrrltic.fim: Rc3r?acEd T.chnacrl Drt..

2. $Di..t: omrnit Sunbin3r h qrinct, llllnoi3.

l. S.urca: D.nn3tlc.

l. 8.ck3rcund: On September 2?, drring the reeent presidential eampaign, S€nator Robert Dote made a
campaign stop in Quincy, trlinois. Approximately three hours after his arrival, the first of four explosions oceurred.
Although early news reports hinted of a possible eonneetion between the Viee Presidential eanddate's visit and
the explosions, authorities subsequen0y determined that the bombings were not politiealy motivated. A fifth
blast, on Septemb€r 28th, took the life of a Sergeant MaJor in an Army Explosive Ordranee Disposal (EOD) Unit,
and injured a State of trlinois Arson krvestigator.

DETAIIS

The origins of this series of bombings have been traeed to September 15, 1l , when 112 pounds of dynamite was
stolen from a Quiney rock guarry. Events immediately preceding the explosions began on the morning of September
2?th, when two telephone bomb threats were reeeived at a Colt Industries eompressor plant during a 30 minute
period. Reeeipt of the seeond threat eatred the plant to b€ evaeuated and elosed for the day. Seven hours later,
at approximately 3:15 p.m., a thind threat was reeeived. Searehes had b€en eondueted after eaeh threat.

That evening, at 8:20, an explosion oeetnred beneath a seldom used bridge in a remote, rural area of euiney. The
i mprovised explosive device (IED) had been plaeed in a briek retaining wall. The blast left a three foot diaireter
hole in the retaining wall. Due to the similarities between evidence found at this blast scene and eomponents
found following later bombings, investigators hypothesized that this explosion may have been a test of the ex-
plosive deviees which were to be used later that night.

Between 9:45 antj l0:00 p.m., three explosions damaged several struetures located outside the Colt Indstries plant.
The first oeeured at the plant's water tower (see Figure l); the seeond, 15 yarG away at a transformer (see Figure
2); and the third at an experimental eompressor, 36 feet from the water tower (see Figure 3). After the explosions,
an extensive seareh was eonducted with no other deviees being located. Thre€ other eompressors were ineluded
in the search. Two of the eompressors, numbers ? and 3, were par*ed side by side with four feet of spaee between
them. Number 2 had been searched at least twiee; yet the following morning, 12 hours after the other bombings,
a fourth IED was loeated in a position aeeessible only by entering the spaee that separated the two protolvpe
air eompressors.

33
 $*
:::*i:::: ja
l-:"
,;:i:,.r'
i|0URC l: 0ltal0E T0 wr?Ei ?oWEi

x--,t*e-t

f-!: .1 '

FICURE 2: COLT IiOUSTRIES TRATSFORMER

34
 FIGUBE 3: EIPERMETTAL llR C0MPAESS0R 10. I

t 1i::.,1:
3':iliil
' '---'t.i
E,:"j

FIGUEE {: SEQUE'ICE OF EYEXTS IilN/TEOIATELY FOLLOYIIIG FIIIAL FATAL BLAST

35
At 10:50 a.m., while awsiting the arrival of bomb handling safety equipment, an Army EOD teehnieian and a State
of Illinois Arson Investigator approaehed compressor No. 2 to make a visual inspeetion of the deviee. In the next
instant the Setgeant Major was dead and the arson investigator seriously injured. See Figures 4 and 5.

. ii1: i

FIGUBE 5: OAMAGE ?O COMPRESSOsS I AID 3

Authorities moved quickly, arresting three men in eonneetion with the bombings. Before the week had ended
they had also loeated a cerefully eoncealed caehe of explosives in an abandoned barn not far from Quincy. Among
the recovereditems were four bombs, 1.22 additional sticks of dynamite, and nearly two dozen electric blasting
eaps (EBC). A trained seaneh dog located the first part of the esehe on Friday, Oetober with the bulk of the
explosives paraphernalia being uneovered two days later, Army EOD technicians dismanUed the four devices
on Oetober , six days after the bombings. Investigators found evidence that bomb6 had been detonated out-
side the barn, possibly to test their effeetiveness.

TECHTICAL I[FORMATIOT

Sinee it was aseertained that the Sergeant Major had not aetually handled the deviee prior to its detonation, two
possible explanations for the tragic explosion have been put forth. The first theorJ maintains that all the IEDs
were set to explode in sequenee on the night of September 2?th. However, the shoek from the other blasts may
have eawed the eloekwork delay mechanism on this partieular deviee to stop. Movements aeeompanying its diseovery
the following morning may have then earsed the elock to resume funetioning, ultimately resulting in detonation.

Information related by a sheriffs deputy who had humiedly photographed the bomb upon its diseovery gives eredenee
to a seeond theory that the IED was somehow booby-trapped. This offieer stated that he saw numerous eopper
wires protnrding from various parts of the explosive deviee--more wires than should have been neeessary for its
operation.

Although the photo itself eould not be reprodueed with the clarity neeessarT to diseern the features and eomponents
of the deviee, a deseription was obtained from two offieers who saw the IED prior to detonation. The filler eon-
sisted of a bundle of five to eight stieks of dlnamite bound with blaek tape. A six volt lantern battery, an EBC,
a clockwork delay meehanism, and the eopper wires eomprised the remaining eomponents. The battery and cloek
were also heid in plaee with blaek tape.

36
A notebook eontaining sketehes of eireuitry utilizing an explosive, eloekwork delay, and power souree was found
drri;t"searehof the"suspeet'sresidenee. The-fouibombsreeoveredatthebarnwereconstructedaeeording
to th6 notebook model, and eontained a total of 30 stiqks of 40% Atlas dynamite. The dynamite was taped in
iwo Uundles of six, and one bundle eaeh of seven and eleven stieks. Eaeh was equipped with a elock, a six volt
battery, an EBC, and a Teflon nail whieh served as a safety pin. Two- gToeery bags_wtrieh contained the four
deviees also held l i loose itict<s of dynam ite. Other recovered items inlluded one K-Mart eloek, one box of Teflon
eovered nails, 106 sticks of Attas dyriamite, 23 Hereules EBCs, a six volt battery, and a stiek of hot
glue.

c ol0rEx T

Two of the individuals apprehended following these bombings were ehatBed with murder, arson, eonspiraey to
eommit erson, burglary,-Cnd possession of explosives. A third person was also indieted on all the above eharges,
with the exeeption of burglary.

Damage to Colt tndustries property was diffieult to assess due to the experimental nature of the eompressors'
the lois in production, and the expense of emergeney equipment and extra seerrity personnel. A. eompany spokes-
man provid-ed I preliminary estimate of over $450,000. As of , the injrred investigatorJs eyesight had
been restored to the extent that he eould distinguish daylight from dar*ness. Doetors advised that his ehanees
of eompletely reeovering his sight were "slim'.

37
ELECTRONIC DELAY CIRCUIT

ELECTRONIC DELAY CURCUIT

Sosrce: Domcslic.

At approximately 12:00 a.m., Deeember 20, I brown paper bag, taped to the door of Almaeen El Espanol
(a freight forwarding operation), exploded causing moderate damage and no injuries. The ineident oceurred in
Union City, New Jersey. A erime seene seareh diselosed that the improvised explosive device (IED) consisted
of a 2 inch by 6 ineh by 6 inch plastic box eontaining explosive materisl, horseshoe nails, a length of safety fuse
slit at one end, and I nonelectric blasting eap.
A cheek at I similar type of business establishment in Elizabeth, New Jersey, a few hours later revealed an IED
(eontained in a cerdboard box) hanging on the inside of a steel security gate outside a jewelry stor€ entrance.
The 54th Explosive Ordnanee Detaehment (EOD), Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, responded and, using a .50 ealiber
dearmer, disrupted the IED's eleetrical circuitry. Preliminary forensie study of the device by the FBI Laboratory
diselosed the following components: one plain cardboard box; Atlas Power Primer dynamite; I length of knotted
detonating cord; a Dupont eleetric blasting eap (yellow and blue leg wiresh and an electronie delay circuit ineorpo-
rsting a Signetics #555 inte$ated eireuit. Power was supplied by two Eveready 9 volt batteries wrapped in 3/4
inch black plastie electricians tape.

The delay circuit eontained in this deviee is the same as those deserilred in Sp,ecial Technieians Bulletins
and /1. This type of eleetronie eonfiguration can be used to permit eompletion of an electrie eireuit after
a predetermined time interval has elapsed. It funetions through a series of integrated circuits and corollary eom-
ponents, and involves no meehanieal or moving apparatus. There is, therefore, no visible or audible indieation
of the timing ppoeess. Within sueh a system, the #555 integrated cireuit and its supportive components are com-
parable in function to the balance wheel of a elock. The rate of the pulse which is generated by this oseillator
can be regulated like the speed adjusting meehanism of a eloek.

FIGURE I: DELAY CIRCUIT EOARD

38
 FIcURE 2; DELAY CIRCUIT BOARD.-OPPOSITE SIDE

COMM EN T

The use of eomplex electronie timing delay systems in IED is uncommon in the United States. Reports reeeived
from foreign sources, however, indicate that integjated eireuits may be employed in homemade bombs more fre-
quently abroad.

The device deseribed in this bulletin was safely disrupted without incident. The EOD personnel who effeeted the
disassembly, however, did not have X-ray equipment available and were unable to see the internal eonfiguration
of the IED before entering it. If such apparatus had been available, its use might have provided an added margin
of safety for the technieians.

39
ELECTRONIC DELAY
ctRculT (ADDENDUM)

1. Clasification: Rcrtricted Tcchnical Data.

2. Subjcct: Addcndun to Special Technicianr Bullctin Elcctronic Dcley
CircuiL

3. Sourcc: Dorncrtic.
4. Beckgound: Special Technicians Bulletin (STl describes a sophisticated
electronic delay circuit of a type that had not been previously encountered in an impro-
vised explosive device (IED). This addendum includes additionsl phototraphs of
this item and a report on another, similar circuit, which has been reported to the
NBDC as a result of the publication of STB

Figure I is an X-ray of the device described in STB The printed circuit

pattern is obvious, as are some of the interior components of the two integrated
circuits. Figure 2 shows the underside of the board with tbe backing removed.

THE INFORJ}IATTON PRESENTED IN TFIIS BUI.LETIN IS PROVTDED AS AS.

SISTANCE FOR BOMB TECHNICIANS. THE NATTONAL BOMB DATA CENTER
IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE
WHICH MAY RESULT FROM THE DISCOVERY OR DISMANTLING OF THIS
OR ANY OTHER DEVICE.
TECHNICAL TNFORMATTON

The second device, which was enclosed in foam rubber fastened with electrical
tape, consisted of the metal clad printed circuit board and a plastic box, approxi-
mately 6 L/4 inches square and 1 1/2 inches deep. The device was to be exploded
with an electric blasting cap, which was taped to a piece of detonating cord extend-
ing from a hole in the side of the box. The cord was knotted inside the box. The
blasting cap wires were connected to the underside of the 2 inch by 3 inch circuit
board. On the top of the board were two 9-volt batteiies connected to battery clips
and insulated from the boerd by a piece of foam rubber.

40
1i' :r

i':.

i *l .-

.!.

!"".

Figure l. X-Ray of Device

4l
; l,'{ !
:.!: ,,
j;il'4r.t1
: i-
''.1r
. ,:.ilj ]-'
I 'iir:,rl
I.i'...i
:":I..fi1i
,!,.\lrl

Figure 2. Underside of Device

The plastic box contained a homemade explosive material consisting of potassium

nitrate, starch, wood pulp, and nitrocellulose saturated with benzine. It also con-
tained a few nails, probably intended as shrapnel. The lid of the box was held
closed with masking tape, and the circuit board and batteries were taped to the
outside with electrical tape.

The functioning of the delay circuit in the second device is identical to that of
the one described in STB although there is some difference in construction; in-
cluding the physical anangement and the addition of two resistors in the timing
circuit. Other components appear to be of the same type. The delay that this
device would afford is calculated to be 23 hours, 36 minutes, and 82 seconds.

Delay devices of this type consist of components mounted on a pieee of fiberglass

board with a pre-etched metal pattern. No wires or movable parts are used. The
function of such systems is to provide a delay, aud has been described in STB ?6-1.

42
 Figures I
and 4 depict the two sides of the second circuit panel. Each component
is designated. It may be noted that the number 24 appears on the board. Since
the delay provided by this system is about 29 l/2 hours, the notation may be a refer-
ence to the delay in hours.
':
d

*
i COMMENT

As this device is so similar to the first one, it may be hypothesized that the same
builder was responsible for both, or that information regarding the construction of
such delay devices is available from a common source.

It should be noted that the second device reported to the NBDC was actually
the first one recovered. If you knori of any similar devices, or should any come
to your attention in the future, please report them to the NBDC promptly. The
knowledge of unusual devices is invaluable to bomb technicians and investigators.

Figure 3. Top of Circuit Board

43
Figure 4. Bottom of Circuit Board
EXPLOSIVE BELT
BOMBING DEATHS

oEYtoEs usED r{ ,,ExpLostvE S8LT " EoMllxc oEATlts

3ollrc!: Fcrraglr.

For the second tire within a period of months, death was the result of an improvir") deviee (IED) dete
"*ptori""
nating after having been attaehed to a vietim's person. The most reeent ineident, which oeerrred on January
25, in Madrid, Spain, claimed the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Viola. The IED used appears to have had elements
in common with one which detonated during a May, 1 extortbn case. A prominent Bareelona, Spain busines*
mant Mr. Bultor was killed at that tirne. There has been corsilerable inter€st in these bombings and possible con-
nections between them. fie teehnieal details eited in this bulletin deal with both eases.

The IED in eaeh case was affixed to the body of the male vietim. An IED with a pressure-release initiator was
attaehed to the softr lower portion of Mr. Bulto's chesl See Figure l. Ptraeement in the Viola ease was com-
parable. Any movement involving contraetion of the abdominal muscles could provide sufficient release of presspe
to detonate a bomb so situated There is some evidenee, however, that these devices ineluded eomponents intended
to forestall aeeidental pressre-release explosions.

FIGURE l: P0SlTl0lt 0F lE0 0r 800Y.

45
In the Bulto cas€, the device was seen by a witness after emplaeement. Evidenee gleaned subsequent
to the blest
indicates that the detonation oecured as Bulto was attempting to remove his pants from beneath
tne IED. His
been near or touching the
left arm suffered greater mutilation than did other portions of his body, and may have

bomb. Violats eircumstances at the tirne of his death are less elearly defined. The effeets from the detonation'
however, were simibr to those of the previous case. He was seated, and may have been attempting
to remove
seems to
the IED or complete some unrelated ection at the moment of detonation. In each ease' the explosion
have been premature and aeeidental. Bulto, for example, was led to believe that the item
would not explode for

several days. In addition, the pepetrators of the erime would hardly have intended to kill the vietim before the
extortion demand was met.

The Devices

o oLt6
o

FIGURE 2: POSSIBLE OOTFIGURATIOT OF IED IIITIITITG MEOIIIXISM.

is hypothesized that the device used in the Viola case included the following components.

A stainless steel plate - approximately 2 l/2 inches by I 1/2 inches by 3/16 inch. Figure 2' A.

A transparent block (rosin, hardened glue, plastic, or similar slbstanee) - sPproximately 2 l/2 inehes by

I 1/2 inehes by 1/4 ineh. Figure 2' B.

(Both the plate and the bioek, whieh were affixed to one another, eont8.ined five large holes and two small ones-
The latter ones aceommodated screws fastening the item to a slightly latger external box-)

A printed cireuit board embedded in the tranParent bloek. Figure 2' C'

A flat relay. Figure 2, D.

speeified.
Two l.S volt lithium batteries. The plaeement of the power sources within the tED hes not been

46
 A rod - approximately 2 inehes long by 1/8 ineh diameter. Figure 2, E.

A spring (Figure 2, F).

(The rod and spring assembly was encased in a plastic eylinder. Figure 2, G.)

One stainless steel washer (Figure 2, H), and a rubber washer (Figure 2, D.

A top at one end of the rod. Figure 2, J.

An unspecified explosive with detonator.

It has been hypothesized

that these eomponents were used to fabrieate a eomplex device consisting of en eleetronie
delay initiating system buttressed with a corollary pressure-released mechanism. Sueh an IED ean be recorstrueted.

The relay housed in the transparent bloek eould be used to eu'nplete a eireuit, after a predetermined intervel.
In one of the present cases' this was noted by the perpetrator to be 25 days. One battery would activate the relay;
the other, provide power through the pressure-release circuit.

The iomponents of this mechanieal initiating eireuit were positioned through the eentral hole in the plate and
bloek assembly. The cylinder retaining the rod and spring assembly was held in plaee with the steel washer whieh
was anehored to the main portion of the deviee. The rubber washer was a/so used to maintain this eonfiguration.
One end of the.spring was supported by a ridge in the rod; the other, by the top. The ridge also provicted
a contact point for the system. when the top was positioned against a surfaee, in these eases e human body, the
spring would hold the ridge separate from the other contaet on the main bodv of the deviee.

To eomment on the intended operation of the eireuit board, relay, and pressure release meehanism would only
be speculation, as the exaet funetional seguenee is not known.

COT4MENT

Sinee tefforist setivi'ry is not limited by netional boundaries, bomb teehnieians in the United States should fa-
miiiarize themselves with such IED and assoeiated fuzing s.v-stems. Maximizing the use of precious time is essentisl
in developing the expertise to answer effeetively sueh ehallenges of terrorism.

47
FOREIGN BODY BOMBS

UPDATED INFORMATION ON FOREIGN BODY BOMBS

SOURCE: Domestic.
FBI Bomb Data Center (BDC) bulletins have been published over the past two years
dealing with ineidents characterized by the emplaeement of improvised explosive
devices (IED) on human bodies. Most of those reported in these doeuments, whieh
inelude Investigators Bulletin and Speeial Teehnicians Bulletin have
oceurred in a European country, in eonjunetion with extortion erimes. Additional
information eoneerning two of these incidents, both of whieh resulted in the deaths of
the vietims, has been reported to the FBI BDC and is ineluded in this bulletin.
Mareh 21,
Spain: Catalonian National Council Erposed as Terrorist Group
In Bareelona, Spsin, authorities in mid-Mareh announeed that the solution of the
previously unsolved terrorist murders of two prominent Barcelona businessmen has led
to the exposure of the Catalonian National Couneil as a terrorist organization rather
than a relatively harmless separatist group. The two vietims, Jose Maria Bulto and
Joaquin Viola, died in May and January respeetively. Unidentified
individuals seized the men and attaehed explosive deviees to their bodies to extort
money from their families (an amount equal to several million dollars in the case of
Bulto). They then released the vietims with instruetions not to attempt removal of the
devices before the extortion money had been paid. The deviees involved eomplieated
electronie cireuitry whieh, aeeording to the terrorists, eould be deaetivated by a code
known only to them. Bulto went home, ignored instruetions, and attempted to remove
the apparatus. He sueeeeded only in creating a violent explosion. In the ease of Viola,
the mechanism malfunetioned and exploded shortly after he arrived home. His wife also
died in the explosion.

At the time of Bulto's and Viola's deaths, Spanish authorities and observers of the
Spanish seene were uneertain whether this approaeh heralded a more gruesome tactie on
the part of the ETA, other terrorist groups, or a sophistieated eriminal element.
Information on leads to the solution of the erimes is not available, but both press and
offieial sources have announeed that the Catalonian National Couneil (CNC) was
responsible. The group is described as being eomposed of university-trained persons
from high social levels who were formerly led by Jose Maria Batista Y !.oea, whose
Catalonian nationalist politieal aetivity spanned almost 50 years. After the Spanish
Civil War, he went into exile in London, where he founded the CNC and led numerous
eonferenees and seminars in British universities on the Catalonian question. Batista Y
Roea died of natural eauses in Barcelona in August

Authorities are investigating the eurrent leader and other members of the group, whieh,
aecording to offieial sourees, had planned to establish a highly sophistieated elandestine
organization and to earry out terrorist aetivities against the Spanish Government.

48
 h

l!

* GERMAN BOMBINGS
';
{i

,t'
i BOi.IBING INCIDENTS IN GERi.IAt{Y
SOURCE: Foreign
*;
West Germany was the seene of a number of bombing incidents in the last year and
i
lr. a half. The purpose of this Bomb Data Center (BDC) bulletin is to deseribe and
n analyze seleeted oeeurrenees.
$
ff
I TIMING DEVICE DISCOVERED
l
* On June an eleetronie timing eomponent was found in an apartment in
i.
,l
Weisbaden, West Germany. The diseovery followed an explosion at that same
I loeation. It is important to note that timing devices resembling the one that was
diseovered had been used in arson and bombing attaeks in Berlin and Frankfurt. A
group ealled the ilRevolutionary Cellsrr took eredit for those attaeks.
Similar timing deviees were also found in 'Weisbaden on September in
another apartment. fire eleetronically eontrolled timing deviees were set up as
integrated cireuits with time delays ranging from 6 to 60 minutes.

PRINTED
-e-j. .-i. r +.:,.,i 3
CIRCUIT PATTERN
VARIABLE
RESISTOR

l:$

ii?i :.;!+il
TO BATTERIES

FIGURE l: TYPICAL ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD. Nm DEVICE USED DURING REPORTED INCIDENT

49
The eleetronieally eontrolled timing deviee recovered on June provided for
a delay of l5 minutes, 5 seeonds. Onee the delay time had elapsed' the power
transisior attaehed to the eonneetor was switehed on by the cireuit. As a result of
this conneetion the ignition eireuit was eompleted.

BRIDGES

78
I

FIGURE 2: SCHE},IATIC DIAGRA}'I OF ELECTROilICALLY CONTROLLED

TII.IING DEVICE USED IN THIS INCIDENT.

Two light diodes arranged in a series were used to indieate the progress of the
cireuit. Once the delay time period had expired, the green light died out and the
red light signalled the ignition eircuit eompletion. However, the green light in this
ease was defective eausing the unintended explosion in the apartment.

The entire timing deviee was eomposed of easting resin. Four eleetrie eables were
attaehed to the devices for outside conneetions. A pair of thin cables, one blaek
and the other red, eonneeted the deviee to a 9 volt bloek battery. Another thieker
pair of eables, provided eonneetion to the ignition eireuit. Finally' four uninsulated
ihort eleetrie wires were arranged in pairs to alter the delay time, if a ehange was
desired. They ran through the east resin surfaee, and by bridging them together in
different ways, one eould shift the delay time. For example, one pair of shunted
bridge wireJ resulted in a delay of 7 minutes, 45 seeonds; two shunted bridges
shortened the delay tg 5 minutes, 6 seeonds.

50
BRITISH ARMY BASES IN WEST GERI.IANY BOI'IBED

On the evening of August there were eight bombings at British Army

installations in West Germany. The bombingS took plaee at Bielefeld, Drrsseldorf,
Duisburg, Krefeld, Minden, Monehengladbach, Mulheim/Ruhr and Ratingen. No
deaths were reported as a result of the explosions, but there was one injury.

At the time of these bombingp no organization elaimed eredit for them, but in
January of this year the Provisional Irish Republiean Army (PIRA) said that it
had been responsible for the explosions. This then, represented the first PIRA
terrorist aetivity outside the British Isles sinee the PIRA letter bombings of several
overseas British diplomats in 1973. The PIRA elaimed that the bombings were
supposed to demonstrate the PIRA's capability of attaeking British Imperialism any
time it so desired.
EXPLOSIYE DEV ICES DISCOYERED

Just a week after the military bases were bombed, two other ineidents oceurred in
West Germany. On August , two explosive deviees were discovered in the
trunk of an automobile. The ear was parked in front of British Rhine Army
headquarters in Monehengl,adbaeh-Rheindalen. Both deviees were deaetivated by a
bomb expert.

On another oeeasion, August , 8 fisherman stumbled upon 33 eleetrie

explosive detonators when he was fishing on the bank of the Rhine in Dusseldorf-
Kaiserwerth. Ttre detonators are believed to have eome from the inventories of the
PIRA.

DESCRIPTION OF EXPLOSIVE DEYICES

The bombs reeovered at the seenes in Bielefeld, Mulheim/Ruhr and Rheindalen

were unconventional explosive deviees with eleetronie detonation delay. The
deviees had been plaeed in bags. All indieations were the explosive deviees used in
the other eities were of similar eonstruction, due primarily to the similarity of the
bomb fragments found at the numerous bombing loeations.

The undamaged explosive deviees diseovered in the trunk of the automobile had
been wrapped in plastie, and then placed in travel bags. Also in the trunk, were
two metal eanisters with 38 liters (10 gallons) of gasoline.

The explosive was. eomprised of a eombination of sodium chlorate, sugar and

nitrobenzene, weighing about 60 kg. (132 lbs). This type of homemade material is
eharacteristie of the PIRA. Also, this explosive can be distinguished by its bitter
almond smell, eaused by the addition of nitrobenzene.

51
 FIGURE 3: IED IN YEHICLE TRUNK

DESCRIPTION OF DETOI{ATION DEVICES

The detonation deviees consisted of:

1. a plywood box with a fiberboard eover. This served to hold the detonation
deviee (size approximately 145 x 80 x 35 mm).

2.six batteries in a battery paek - eaeh one a 1.5 volt Mallory Alkaline Duraeell
MN 1500 - whieh served as the source of eurrent.

3. a transparent box (plastie) without a top (approximately 62 x 40 mm). This

served to hold the eleetronie time delay.

4. a bedplate witn soldered-on electronie eomponents (approximately 5? x 33 mm).

5. a flashlight bulb as a eon$ol light.

6. a wooden clothespin with 2 eontaets (sketeh board pegs) as safety deviees. The
aetivation pin (round rod) is missing.
7. wiring material (variously colored insulated copper wires).

8. transparent and black adhesive tape.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ELECTRONTC TII.IE DELAY

The electronie time delay was eomprised of an oseillator (RS eombination) and a
eouple of delay steps. By adjusting the delay elip, delay times of 12, 24, l$ hours,
ete. (doubling amounts) up to 582 days could have been attained. A reset switeh,
two integrated C-MOS switches and an eleetronic switch step were eombined to
funetion as the delay hookup. By diseonneeting and then reeonneeting the reset
switch to the power souree, the delay time would begin all over again and start
from zero.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ELECTRONIC EXPLOSIVE DETONATOR

The homemade eleetrieal explosive detonator was identified as being characteristic

of the PIRA. The explosive detonator easing was composed of copper pipe,
approximately 76.6 mm long and about 14.6 mm in diameter. The sealing plugs
were a syntletie plastie material. The primer capsule used was a flashbulb. The
initial ignition material was about 2.6 g. of mereury fulminate. Plastie-eoated
copper wire was used as the detonation wire.

FIGURE 4: ELECTRONIC TIME DELAY

53
 FTGURE 5: PIRA DETONATOR

FIGURE 6: DETONATION CORD ENCASED lN ALUMINUM FOlt

54
NOTABLE FEATURES

A feature to be noted in referenee to these bombings was the detonator eord found
at Bielefeld. The detonator eord had blaek adhesive tape wrapped around both ends
to keep the explosive material from falling out, and was nlso wrapped with
aluminum foil all the way up and down its entire length. The purpose of the
aluminum foil was to avert the nitrobenzene from seeping through the plastic
easting of the detonator eord.

!, ! -r r-*r---*r'r-t.f*n"
lrt atf
-r-,-r--ttl

FIGURE 7: DETONATING CORD

EXPLOSION AT LUFTHANSA AIRMAIL SHIPHENT OFFICE

On April 3 a bomb exploded in a room at the Lufthansa Airmail Shipment

Offiee at Frankfurt's airport. Ten people suffered injuries, some seriously. The
bomb was hidden in a pareel addressed to a student dormitory in Jerusalem, Israel.
The pareel had been mailed on April I between 9:30 and 10:00 from a post
office in Frankfurt by an Arab about 30 years old.
The pareel was 40-45 em. long, 25-30 em. high and 25-30 em. wide. It weighed 5.9
kg. (13 lbs) when mailed, and was inseribed with the following phase on the outside
of the package: "Medieine valued at 70.00 DM".

55
DESCRIPTION OF EX PLOSIVE I'IATERIAL

The explosive materisl had been eontained in a thin sheet receptaele measuring 160
mm x 120 mm. A lead eompound is believed to have been inside the exploded
paekage, due to the presenee of a yellow substanee found on objeets in the
immediate areas of the explosion. The yellow residue was formed through the
thermal disintegration of lead nitrate. When lead nitrate is eombined with
deoxidation agents it can form explosive mixtures.

Also reeovered from the rubble eaused by the explosion were pieees of an aneroid
barometer. A barometer eonneeted to an ignition eireuit serves as a eontaetor to
set off explosive objeets when altitude variations are realized.

The explosive eharge detonated before it was ever loaded onto the plane. fire mail
saek that contained the explosive eharge was dropped in the shipment office, and
the atmospherie pressure was very low in Frankfurt at the time (984 millibars), thus
affeeting the barometer.
The eurrent for the explosive eharge was supplied by a 4.5 volt flat battery. The
neeessary eleetrieal eonneetiqps eonsisted of white insulated eopper strand wire
(cross seetioned area 0.?5 mmo). In addition to these and the other components of
the deviee were six refillable Rowenta and Bridd lighter eartridges found at the
seene of the explosion. These eartridges were eombined with the explosive device
to deliver a combination explosive-ineendiary effort.

56
HIGH.EXPLOSIVT
PACKAGE BOMB

t. Clr3riticrticn : Rcatrictrd f Gdtnisal orll.

lncidcnl lo. l: lligh Erplo3iy0 P.cl.go Somb Srnt lhrough Mril.

s0u Bc E

Foreign.
BIC TGBOUf,O

Police were cont,acted by a rdoman who had become suspicious of a registered

package received in the nail. Police bomb technicians disnantled the oackage
ind deteroined that it contained a booby-trapped explosive device
Aroed by a clockwork rnechanism, the device incorporated a microswitch to initiate
an electrical firing circuit if the box were opened. The components were given
to a foren*ic explosives laboratory for tests and analysis.

TECHXTCAt trF08r[^fl0t
The bomb was packaged in a heavy white cardboard box measurLng 2 318 inches by 5
1/2 inches by 7 L/2 inches. The box was wrapped in brown watermarked paper, and
addressed with a black felt tipped pen. Crurnpled newspapers prevenged the
coEponents of the device frour shifting in transit
The box lid consisted of two overlapping flaps seeured vith tape. See Figure 1.
The microswitch was taped under one of the flaps. Held in the OFF position by
the pressure of the taped flap, it interrupted an electrical circuit consisting
of two parallel-connected detonators wired co a flat 4 Il2 volt battery. The
wire connections were twj.sted around the tab-like battery terminals and the tabs
were folded back over the twisted wires.
The two electric detonators were improvised from No. 6 nonelectric blasting
caps. See Figure 2. Each aluminum blascing cap shell was primed with powdered
rnatchheads. Inserted in the improvised primer composition was a bridgewire (a
small U-shaped platinun wire) soldered co the bared wj"res on one end of a length
of insulated, doubLe-strand electrical wire, similar to lamp cord. The electrical
wire was rrrapped with cotton padding and tape to forn a tight fit in the open
end of the nonelecpric bLasting cap she1l.

57
 FIGUFE l: A8T|ST'S COXCEPt 0F 0Evt0E

SAIDCEITIRE

BTASTIIG CAP SHETL lrrr: (rloolre)

!{ } I

I l'rt"
lll)i (,//,
/z
tlrt.1tr
'f a r

BASE CIIARGE
0 0u8 tE-S?RAiD

TIOT SHIRGE

ELECTRICAL I{I8E

58
 Both nodified detonators rirere connected electrically in parallel and inserted
into an explosive charge taped to che side of the battery. The explosive material,
rrapped in-polyethylene, weighed 2 3/5 ounces and appeared to be dynamite. A 3-
inch- length- of detonating cord was molded into the explosive co add to the blasc
effect.
A wristwatch, with che minute and second hands removed, was wired into the
electrical circuiC and used to arm the device. A thunb tack, wiCh the point
removed, served as a contact pin. It was inserted through a hole-in ttte lens at
the 5 o'clock position. Wires incorporating the watch into the electrical
circuit were sbldered to the head of the taik and to the chromir.rm-plated watchband
spring bar.
The complece electrical circuit is diagrarqed in Figure 3.

MEN$WITGH

0E?oxt?0n3

T,:,,,,,CIIABGE

FIGUBE 3: ELECTBICAL CIRGUIT

c0HMEtr

Evaluation of the device indicated that all eleccrical connecEions, including

the arnlng wristwatch, \^'ere found to be !n working order and the baccery was
charged. The microswicch would trave operated, complecing the eleccrical ci.rcui!,
had the package been opened routinel,v and the lid lifted as much as 1/16ch of an
inch. This also shows the ease with which a nonelectric blasting cap can be
converted into an electric initiator.

59
3. lncidlnl Xo. 2: lnprora3ld Erplorirt Dcriccr (lE0) in C.ndy Borcr.

s0u RcE
Domestic.

3ACil GR 0 UX 0

Two members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors received packages in the
mail at their residences. The officials becaoe suspicious and bomb units were
notified. Prior to the incidents, a list of demands rilas sent to the supervisors
by the "New World Liberation Front," threatening them if the demands were not
met.
TECHiltCIt tXtoBMAlt0X

The devices each consisted of a courercial cardboard candy box 10 1/4 inches
long by 5 inches wide, and were pabkaged for nailing, with appropriate addresses.
The candy boxes contained a 9 volt battery, 1/2 stick of dynanite, a mousetrap,
one flashbulb, some rnatchheads, 2 L/2 inch length of safety fuze, a nonelectric
blasting cap, connecting wires, duct tape, and pieces of candy lndividually
wrapped in cellophane.
The 9 volt battery rras connected to the flashbulb and mousetrap with lead wires.
See Figure 4. The mousetrap was held ln the open position by pressure of the
box lid.

9.V BATTERY

CONTACT

FIGURE I: ABTISTIS COXCEPT OF DEYICE

The improvised firing train is unusual in that it eurploys both an electric and
nonelectric fuzing system. The former consisls of a 9 volt batcery connecced to
a flashbulb with a set mousetrap serving as a pressure release switch. Upon
activation, the heat from the flashbulb ignites the black powder core of the
splic safety fuze, thereby initiating the nonelectric portion of the improvised
firing train. The safety fuze initiates the nonelectrie blasting cap which is
inserted into the mai.n charge (dynamite).

60
 DISARMIIG /OISMAXT tIXG PR OCEOURES

THE FOLLOI|ITG PROCEDUBES WEBE USED TO DISARM TTIE OEYICES ITD ABE PROYIDED AS GEXERAL
ITFORMATIOT, iO? AS OEFIXIT]YE REIDER SIFE/DISMAITTITG PBOOEDURES. THEBE ARE IO SAFE
PROCEOUFES FO8 OISASSEMSLITIG IIOMIMADE ITCETDIARIES OR EIPLOSIVE DEVICES SIICE ?UZIXG
YARIATIOXS ANE LIMITTD OXIY 3Y THE IMAGIXATIOX ATO NESOUNCES OF TIIE BUIIDERS.

Disar:ning Procedure Used for First Device \

The two man method for render safe operations was implemented. The bottom of
the box rras secured to the floor of the building by tape,/ and a line secured to
the lid by tape. The lid qras renoved remotely by pullin! the line from behind
a wall. Inspbction of the box indicated that the Douset4ap switch had already
been triggerbd. Completion of the circuit rtras prevented \y a portion of cellophane
lodging between the contect points.
The battery $/as removed froro the circuit by cutting the contrecting wires after a
tongue depressor was placed betqreen the trap contacts. A {calpel was then used
to slit the stick of dynarnite to remove the blasting cap afid fuze from the main
charge.
\
Disar:uring Procedure Used for Second Device t\
The second device was discovered outside, next to a wooden fqnce with two large
rocks on top of the box. One end of, the box was open, exposi\g a side of the
bactery. The lead wires connected to the battery were against\ the side of the
box adjacent to the fence \,,

One technician held che box with the rocks in place while ttre Uo\ was lurned
away from the fence by the second technician to provide access to\the battery
side of the box. A scalpel was used to cut a four inch seccion fr\m the side of
rhe box exooslng the battery lead wires. A seccion of wire was renlpved with
side cutters. Forceps and a line were atcached to the box lid. Thq lid was
then reriloved remotely. The battery Lras removed and disconnected. Arscalpel was
used eo renove the bLasting cap , fuze and fLashbulb from the main charge.
COMMET?

Although each device appeared to be identical in construction, cirredmstances

dictated a different disarming procedure be used in each instance/.
)

6l
HOAX DEVICE WITH
MULTIPLE CIRCUITS

l. Cl.3silicafion: RG.lrict.d T.chtac.l Dda.

2. Subitcti Hoer Dlyicr i,ifi riulliDlt oircuats.

t. Sourco: D.nrrtic.
\
l. Brctground: A security officer at an emusement park in the Midwest recently reeeived an enonymous telephone
eall about midday. The call prompted a seareh whieh ultimately led to the recovery of an unusual improvised ex-
plosive device (lED) from a loeker on the park premises.

The inoperative device had been planted es part of an extortion plot. A letter found with the deviee asserted
that two other similar IED were loeated in the park and that they would explode unless the extoPtionate demands
were met. A search revealed no other sueh items.

The device was housed in a metal box. See Figure l. It eonsisted of a eontainer of e:<plosive filler to be detonated
with a homemade eleetrie squib, and a variety of initiating switeh meehanisms.

FIGURE I: EXTERIOR OF DEYICE

TECI{lllcAt ltF0BMATl0tl

The deviee was enelosed in an 8 inch by 6 inch by 3 l/2 ineh metal box, one end of whieh contained six ke]t-opereted
switehe, a three-way toggle switeh, a test lamp, and a .156 inch diameter brass rod. See Figure 2. The rod' both
ends of whieh were aitajtreO to the box, sewed as an entenna for the radio-controlled initiating meehanism.

62
The interior eomponents of the deviee ineluded: e guantity of blaek powder in a molded epoxy cylinder; a homemade
eleetrie squib inserted into the powder; six 1.5 volt batteries wired in series; a mereulry switeh; a cloekwork delay
switeh; a mieroswiteh; a radimontrolled servo switch; and the neeessary eonneetive hardware and wiring. All
the components, exeept the eylinder, are eommercially available. The cylinder, which was fabnieated from an
epoxy material eontaining metallic aluminum filler and east around a glass bottle, is rather unusual.

Figure 3 is a eireuit diagtam of the four switeh meehanisms as they would epPear if properly assembled. Eaeh
eiieuit would be eompleted by a different cireumstanee. The mercury switch would close when the deviee was
shifted from its horiiontal position. The elockwork delay eireuit would be completed after_ a Preset time interval
had elapsed. The mieroswiieh was held open by the box lid, and would elose when it was lifted. Upon reeeipt
of a eommand transmitted on the proper irequeney, the radio-eontrolled servo eireuit would be completed.

a .1" L00x 5

I
ocr 3

?EtT LTMP

I: TATTEiIES

tEivo slrlTcll
-F
tocr tocr

oo o o
I 2 TEST

IAMP lllSET: IUtrlERlClL 0ESlGtlTl0tl

0F tocr $$TCHES.
r,oci l Loc[ Locr

oo
5

o
5
TOGG LE
.)
sr{lTcH

FIGURE 3: SCHEMITIC DIAGBAU OF TYPE DEVICE

'HIS
The six loek switehes mounted on the box end all served as part of the arming system for the deviee. One key
will not operate all of the switehes. Four of them were eonneeted in series to the four interior switehes. The
othep two, Iocks three and six (see Figure 3 for numerieal designations), were wired direetly to the leg wires of
the sguib. The others were attaehed as follows: loek one to the mereury switeh; two, to the elockwork delay
system; four, to the microswiteh; five, to the radio-eontrolled servo. The toggle switeh mounted into the box
served two funetions: to arm the device, when in the left position (toward loek five); and to light the test lamp,
when in the right position (toward loek six). The antenna was eonnected to the reeeiver inside the box.

63
 rrdun: r: rr?:nron oF gox - ?oP

CLOCKUIORK

FIcURE 5: lilTERl0B 0F B0X - StOE

Figures 4 and 5 are different views of the interior of this IED. In Figure 4 the mereurv switeh is elearly vislble
direetly to the right of the serrated eylinder of explosive. The mieroswiteh is also visible in the eenter of the
photograph, and the top of the radio-eontrolled servo appears in the lower left eorner. A elearer view of this
eomponent appears at the left of Figure 5. In this Figure, part of the cloekwork meehanism is visible in the lower
right eenter of the deviee.

COMMETIT

This eomplex deviee was fabrieated from simple, readilv available items. Furthermore, although the entire assembly'
,as eomplieated, eaeh of the eireuits was relatively simple and none of them required speeialized knowledge of
eleetronies. Sueh an IED, if fully armed and funetional, would pose a serious threat to both passersby and anyone
attempting to examine or disarm it'

Anyone diseovering a deviee similar to the one deseribed in this bulletin should advise the nearest FBI Field Offiee
immediately.

64
 IMPROVISED BLASTING CAPS

L Cl.33alication: Rr3nict.d lcchnar.l Drt .

2. SuDi.ct: lnprcrli.d Sliltlng Cr9r.

3. tcurcc: Forrign.

l. Brclprund: Blasting caps are blasting eeeessories, usually metal, whieh contain a small amount of sensitive
\-- ---. explosive material and are used to detonate larger eharges.They may be aetuated either pyroteehnieally
-The or with
qn electrie current, and are frequentty eneount;red in improvised explosive deviees (lED): eonstruetion of
iio-improvised ulaiting eaps hai been reported to the FBi Bomb Dati Program reeently by foreign partieipants.
One of tle-€aqt, made by e terrorist group, is noneleetric and was fabricaied from plastieretheithan metil eomponents.
The other, alsoleeeveted from s terporist souree, uses a flashbulb to ignite the eontents 8nd is aetivated eleetrically.
Each improvised cap is deseribed in this bulletin.

!. Plrttic tl.!tir8 C.t.

A terrorist group was apparently responsible for the eonstruetion of a small, noneleetric initiator, to be used with
eommercial or improvised fuse, The device eonsists of a plastie tube eontaining a primer and an initiating eharge,
separated by seals. It is approximately 2 inehes long and 3/8 inch in diameter and eontains less than an ounee
of explosivesubstanees. fhqsenls,oneof whiehissituatedbetweentheeharges, arel/4 inehdiametereups.
Eaeh has a hole in the bottom. See Figure 1. The seeond seal was plaeed behind the initiating charge in the reeovered
device. A portion of the tube, approximately l/3 of its length, is hollow. This recess is provided for the insertion
of fuse. The other end, containing the primer, would be embedded in dynamite or another explosive.

3/8" DIA
i*-

1- ) sear-
ls!.L

] ntnaron
I

2tt Scel
)'t seau I
J-
aase cHARGE
3116" l:'-'l
looftt*
@
BOTTOM vlErv
o
TOP VIEUJ
i I

-J L-r,0" o,o

FIGUnE l: |MPnOVNE0 totELtCTR|C StlSTltG CAP Wl?H PLAST|C CoMPoiEt?S

65
This deviee was probably intended to funetion in the-same way as an-y other nonelectrie blasting eap. Burning
fuse ignites the sensitive initiating charBe, earsing the deton;tion of the primer anc main expt&ive material.

Plastie is an untsual substanee for eonstruetion of sueh an item. The fact that this detonator eontains no metal
makes it diffieult to detect bv x-ray.or other metsl deteetion proeedures.

5. lnprovirtd Elrc''ic Dltcnrtor.

Information eoneern-ing this deviee is being presented by the FBI BDP through the eourtesv of the Canadian Bomb
Data Centre (CBDC), Royal Canadian !\{ounted Poliee. The CBDC bulletin describing this improvised blasting
eap is reprinted in this publieation for the information of all FBI BDP speeial teehnie-ian partieipants.

tntroduction

In a reeent seizure of terrorist material. two eopper tubes were reeovered whieh have been identified as improvised
eleetrie detonators. Fifteen davs later, a dereliet vehicle, containing an ambush bomb thought to be for command
wire initiation, was moved.unwittingl],'from- the roadside to a rubbish dump b1'Couneil worktrs. lnvestigation
of the deviee revealed that an imprcivised eleetrie detonator, identical to ihefirst, was eonneetec to a jhort firing
eabie, and had taped to it two eommereial detonators of a delav series, with their leg wires eut. The whole unit
was inserted into the main change of hornemacle explosive.

Descri pti on See Figure 2,

Outer Contafner. Thin-vralled eopper tubing 3 inehes in length by 1/2 ineh in diameter, sealed at both ends with
a eommereial bonding sea-ler.

.,l44rn C&eqge-.-srnait€uan ti ty of br own hom e m a <le me re rry f ul m in a t e.

lndtiotor. A photoflash bulb with a blue anrJ I yellow wire protruding through the sealing plug at one encJ.

LEG WIRES

COPPER TUBE

FLASHEULE

XERCURY FULIIIIIATE

COTTON W@L

FIGURE 2: IMPROYISED EIECTRIC DETOXATOi WITII FLISIIEULB.

66
Comment

One possible source of information for the preparation eould be the instruetions eontained in a U. S. Armv publieation
dealiilg with uneonventional warfare. This details the method of produeing 5 grams of m€reury fulminate. and
its use in a 3 ineh long metal tube. Although the manufaeture of improvised detonators is not eommon, it has
been eneountered in manv parts of the world, but rarely with a homemade primary explosive.

Firing Triats
These were carrieC out on improvised detonators manufaetured to the sarne speeifieations but initiated by an
eleetrie fuzehead in plsee of the flashbulb. The result was a complete detonation of both eommereial explosive
and ehlorate/nitrobenzine mix, but no initiation of an ANFO mix.

COMMEI{T

Becerce a blasting eap of some kind is sueh a common neeessit!'in the fabrieation of IED, terrorists and other
bomb builders are eonstantly improvising and produeing new variants. Teehnieians should remain sware that sueh
apparatus, whieh are freguen0y eneounGred when disas5embling lED, are timited only by the imagination of the
fibrice3or and the available resourees. Both of the detonators described in this bulletin wete eonstructed from
ordinary materials and would seem to operate in a eommonplaee manner. Either one, however, eouid pose an
unsuspeeted threat to an unwary teehnieian.

67
IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES

lrsTnu0Tlors F0R tl(lrG lilPnovlsEo trPtostvE 0EytoEs 0E0) - t33uEo ty I ooMES?tC

lEY0LUTtoIrtY /?Eii0ttsT 30uRcE

Sarrca:0aratllc.

The FBI Bomb Data end Terrcrist Reearch Centerc GDC-TBC) rceently reeeived eopies of two documents eom-
piled by revolutionaries in the westem United States. Ilre items are a Peoples lnformation Relay (PtR) newsletter
for Agril' tl , and several pages from Tte Urban Guerri& (TUC) 12, publiSred in the rgring of and dissemF
nated with the PIR newsletter. The artieles eoneem booby-trapping by rerrolutionary grouF as well as eontaining
explicit hstruetions for the construetion of various improvised explosive devices fiED). Ttre rclevant portion of
the PIR newsletter ls exaetly guoted in this FBI BDC Special Teehnieians Bulletin; the TUG ereer?t has been 19-
produced, and is heluded at the end of the narrative.

The dissemination of the data in these artieles to domestie rerolutionary organizations pos€s 8 pa€sent daryer
to bomb technicians and the entire law enforcement eommunity. The PIR has been active in the past in promoting
the aetivities end ideas of the New world Liberation Front (NWLF), a rerotutionary organization responsble for
over ?l bombings in the western United States. this information anct similar data in other publicetions is available
to any group or individual who may wi$ to use it.

f O0Ut: 8003YTlf PPllG (F'.u PIR !.r.l.tftl)

In Mareh' poliee found a person blown-epert (sie) by a bomb in Denver. Ttrey el,aimed the remains, sgread over
a 2 bloek area' were once Carlos Zapata, an otganizer in the Chicano eommunity, and latrnched a wave of repression
in the barrios: warran0ess searrhes, arrets and Grand Jury subpoenas. Not srrprizing (sic) since the target of
the attac* was apparently the Denverbomb sguad

There were three bombs altogether, placed in the vicinity of an isolated VFW hall: a dynamite bomb in the pa*ing
lot that exploded' a second dynamite bomb which also exploded killing Carlos, and an antFperconnel deviee (a
pipe-bomb full of nuts and bolts) whieh had been set to detonate one hour after the dynamite blasts. The third
bomb was discovered and disarmed but had been pleced so as to explode in the midst of the bomb squad who would
be sifting through the debris from the earlier blasts.

On July 4th of last year t}le Geoqe Jaekson Brigade raised the question of whetherit was appropriate to boobytrap
any or all of their bombs in a eommunique tiiled Claim no Easy Vietories" whieh is ineluded in this
'nTell no Lies,
mailing. The eommunigue esked for feedaek and several people have written PtR to eomment on the subjeet.
Every letter we reeeived endorsed the tactic of boobytrapping although most expressed resewation and an analysis

68
by the James Reetor Colleetive is included in this mailing sinee it is fairly
representative of the eomments we've
received FBI BDC Edito/s Note.. Nefther the George Jockson kigade (GJB) commtnique no? the James Rector
Collective onolysis is pres€nted in this publicotion.

Perhaps more to the point are these obseryations by a revolutionary film director: "Poliee are pa.id more than
mhers for safer wor*. Directors of Secuity in the indrstrial empire, they have beeome like the Roman Legions:
a new elass within the class system. fiey are more loyal to the present oppressive class system than those who
aetually own it."

Underground group have taken an ambivalent stanee on boobytrapping bombs. To our knowledge, no domestic
guerrilla unit has aetually done any boobytrapping prior to the Denver sttaek but GJB has threatened to and the
NWLF publi$red boobytrap instruetions as lotg ago as July, PIR r€printed those instnrctions a year later
in TUG #2 and tlrat section of TUG - complete with diagrams - is ineluded in this mailing.

PIR takes the position that while there are unquestbnably many eops and watehpersons who are decent PeoPle'
trying only to make a living, tlhere are also I gteat many who are pigs. Aeeordng to our soure€s, the Ilenver bomb
sguad are pigl and we support the att€'Irpt to attad( them, mourning the loss of a eomrade. We suPport the taetic
of body tragping lf every greceution is tdcen to proteet the lives of the rdatively innoeenl

Tlre TUG 12 ereerpt, nManud of Warfare", oontEins two partss Detonatiots and Arsor lte first deseribes eon-
struction prineipler and possDle us€s for a mouetrsp switeh end a aloekrod< delay meehanism. The eecond seetion
grovides reeipes for severd varieties of honemade ineendary eompounG as well ar instruetions for their ignition.

GotmtrT

The PtR is incorrrcl in stathg that the Denver incident is urpreeedented in the use of a booby-trapped bomb.
1he praetiee is not eommon amorg domestie revolutionary grouF, probably because it is a poor method of elieiting
publie sympathy; but it is not unknown. On Deeember 11, , for example, I feke regort to the New Yort City
Poliee Departnrent led to an investigation in a Manhattan ten€tnent. As an apartnrnt door was opened by the
respondng personnel, an explosion oeerred. The IED tsed in this instanee had apparently been eguipped with
a clothespin and insulating wedge meehanism, and was situated to detonate when the door was opened Within
hours of the blast, a eommunique from Fuezas ArnruCrrs de Liberaeion Naeional Puertorriquena (FALN) was issued,
elaimhg responsbility for the attedc During l,ate a gtoup calling itself the Comandos Revolueionerios
lndependistas Armados (CRIA) was responsible for the mailing of several lettettombs. Ttrree of these, arriving
in New Yod( post offices on November 24, , were found to contain a booby trap meehanism. Eaeh was to
be activeted by pressre applied to the envelope; the switehes were so si$ated within the enveloges that 8 mere
grasp of the hand could have ea6ed ignition.

69
 A'PEIDIX: ?UG EIOEIPT.

Manual of
PART
MOUSETRAP SVYITCH
A common mousetrap can be
used to make a circult switch
for electrically initiated explo-
sives, mines, and booby traps.
MATERI,AL REQIIIRED
Mousetrap
Hacksaw or flle
Connecting wtres
Wa rf are
I DETONATIONS
3. Strip one lnch lLL/Zcm) of
insulation from the ends of two
connectlng vrlres.
4, Wrap one wire tlghtly a-
round the spring loaded strlker
of the mousetrap.

5. Wrap the second wire a-

PROCEDT'RE
l. Remwe the trip lever from
:he mousetrap uslng a hacksaw
or file. Also remove the sta-
ple and holdirrg wire.
round some part of the trlp lev-
er or piece of metal. If a sold-
erlng lron ls avallable, sotder
both of the above wlres tn ptace
usEs
The swltch can be used ln a
number of w.31r5, one typlcal
method ls presented here.

TRIP LEVER The swltch is placed lnslde a

I -.fu2 box whtch also contatns the
explostves ond batteries. The
STAPLE spring loaded striker is held
- back by the lid of the box and
when the box ls opened the clr-
cuii is closed.
2. Retract the stiiker of the
mousetrap and attach the trip
lever across the end of the
rr'oocl basc using lhe staple
\..'ith which ihc hoiding rvire is CAP
attached. Ii the trip ]cver ls EXPLOSIVES
no! rnade of nrctol, a piece of
r;rCi;.;l of A:)pio>:im(tIciy thc same BATTERY
size slrould be used.

70
 IVATCH DEI.AY TIMER
A time delay devlce Jor use with
electrical firing circuil can be
made by using a watch with a
plastlc crystal.
MATFRLlf, REQIIIRED
Watch with plastic crystal
Small clean melal screw
Battety
Connectlng rvlres
Drlll or nall
PROCEDURE
l. If watch has a sweeP or
targe second hand, remove it.
tf delay tlme oI more than one
hour ts reguired, also remote
the mlnute hand. If hands are
painted, carefullY scraPe Palnt
from contaet edge with knlfe.
2. Drlll a hole through the cry-
sta! of the watch or Pierce the
crystal with a heated nail.
The hole must be small enough
that the screw can be tightlY
threaded tnlo lt.
DRILL
4ffi
)ifAa'/- HEATED NAIL
',**;
*/,i;E
3. Place the screrv in the hole
Lnd turn down as far as poss-
ible rr'lthout making confacl
\^'ith the face of the v,ratch. tt
5g1sw haS a pointed lip, tt may
be necessary to grind tl,e lip
flat. U no screw ls available,
pass a bent stiff v;ire lhrough
the hole and tape to the crystal.
IMPORTANT: Check to lnakc
sure hand of watch calrnot Pass
screw or wire without contact-
tng lt.
HOW TO USE
l. Set the watch so that a
hand wlll touch the screw ci
wlre at the ttme you want the
flring circult comPleted.
2. Wlnd the watch
3. Attach a wlre from the case
of the watch to one termlnal of
the battery.
4. Attach one wlre from an
electrlc inltlator (blastlng caP,
squlb o alarm devtce) to the
screw or wire on the face of
the watch.
5. After thorough lnsPectlon
ts made to assttre that the screv,r
c wlre connected to it ls not
touchlng the face or case of. the
watch, attach the othe!'wire
from the initiator to the second
termlnal of the batterY.
-$s]p-N: Follow this step
carefully to prevent premature
lnltiation.
BATTERY
SCREW
7l
 PART
Common household soap can be
used in combination with alco-
hol to gel gasoline for use as
florne fuel. rvhich wlll adhere to
target surfaces.
When maklng kitchen napalm,
be sure that there are no open
tlames ln the room. This ln-
cludes pilot lights on stoves,
heaters, and hot-water healers.
NO SMOKING!
Start wlth soap, 20 parts by
volurne lf porvdered, 28 parts
if flakes. Make sure that the
package says ,,soap',. Many
rvashing conpounds are Ceter-
qents, anci.cannot be used.
lvlrx 36 parts of gasoline .irrith
I part of whiskey, wood, or
rubbi.ng alcohol and aclC the
soap, stirTing occassionally
uritil thickened (lS ninutes).
FUSE
For 6 f',rgs, use al.t tr{-80 fire-
cracker. Place it snrrgly in the
top of the cotltainer.
II ARSOi{
For detonation, lmpale o no[-
filter cigarette on the fuse of
a the M-80. When lt br.rrns down
(I0 minutes) and lgnltes the
fuse of the firecracker, the
glass contalner will be shatter-
ed and the gasoltne will be ig-
nlted and will correr and adhere
to all nearby surfices.
Experiment lvlth the flrecracker
and cigarette befce uslng thts
method of arson. The ftre will
spread very guickli' and great
care should be taken to assure
that buildings slated for attack
be conpletely unoccupled.
PIR REPORT
Thts injormatlon vras taken
from a cornntunique issued by
Kltchen Table Press. It began
witlr a Brecht quote;
What kind of an age is lt
rvhen to speak of trees
is almost a crime
because of the crimes
1t leoves unsaid?
72
IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
USED IN CASINO EXTORTION ATTEMPT

IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE USED IN CASINO EXTORTION ATTEMPT

SOURCE: Domestic

An extontion attempt against a Stateline, Nevada hotel/casino culminated in the explosion of

an improvised explosive deviee (IED) on August 28, Although property damage was
extensive, there were no injuries. The heavily traffieked establishment had been evacuated
before the detonation. Purported to be offiee equipment, the l,arge (over 11000 pounds) IED
had been situated within the building hours before. During this period it was photographed
and X-rayed. These pietures, plus the results of post-blast debris examination, permit the
deseription of the IED disseminated in this publieation.

The bomb was eontained in two fabrieated metal boxes, of professional quality eonstruetion.
The same materials appear to have been used for each box. The inelusive IED was sprayed
with several layers of gray paint.

FIGURE: IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE

A major eomponent of the largest box was the main explosive eharge. It appears also to
have eontained booster materials, some electrieal eomponents, and an electric
btsting cap used to detonate the IED. A total of 34 switehes were affixed to opposite sides
of the smaller box. Within this reeeptacle was contained the highly sophistieatib eleetrieal
fuzing system which, in conjunction with the switehes, would permit detonation by several
means. The power souree for the IED was probably eontained in this box.

73
 Outer Containers - Both boxes were eonstructed from a ferrous (iron) metal approximately
3n6''ficfr-tfrEA-k,T'heir seams appear to have been a eombination of welding and body putty.

The large box on the bottom measured 24 inehes by 26 inches by 45 inches. Its lid was
affixed with countersunk serews and entirely sealed with body putty. Welded to the bottom
of this eontainer were four large 360 degree rotation wheels set inside of four smaller steel
wheels. Also affixed to the underside was a metal handle eapable of moving up and down on
a pin hinge. This handle eould have been removed by detaehing the pin.

The smaller box, whieh was affixed off-eenter to the top of the larger one, measured 14
inches by 14 3/8 inehes by 22t inches. Its top was seeuted with 12 flathead serews. A weld-
seeured hex nut was plaeed in the center of this Ud. It was apparently used during assembly
of the IED. There was a small opening in the base of this box, from whieh a length of pl,astie
tape protruded. It was attaehed to something within the box and when touched by probe' it
had a spring-like aetion.

The impressions of five additional lengths of tape were noted on the surface of the lid of the
larger box. Adhering to this same area were fragments of masking tape, whieh aPPeared to
be plaeed over the other five pieces of removed tape. The top box was fastened to the
bottom one with a weld or bonding putty. The smooth seam which was epParent indicated
that welding eould only have been done from the inside. Prior to the detonation of the IED,
some of the bonding material appeared to be breaking away from the sealed serews and
edges.
lj
ri
Attempts were made to stabilize the deviee: on eaeh bottom @rner of th9 larger box was a
il screw-tlpe leveling nut; at eaeh top Gorner, a leveling bubble. - Plyloo!. blocks were pl,ae-gd
i!
under tti6 levelngiuts. While the IED was in situ, eaeh of the four leveling bubbles was off-
center, indieating that one side was higher than the other.

Main Explosive Charge - X-rays revealed that the main explosive substanee filled the large
ffiesofitstop,andwassecuredinplaeebyaproteetiveeover.
Bmbedded within this material appeared to be several cylindrieal objeets, such as dynamite
or water gel cartridges, which could have served as a booster. A blasting eap was inserted
F
I among thele eartridges. After observing the damage from the detonation, it was determined
I
i that [re explosive c-harge weighed approximately 700 pounds and was equivalent in strength
to TNT.
i

Electrical Fuzing System - The fuzing system of - the IED was powered by what appear to
ffitteries, such as are trsed in motoreyeles.

Twenty-eight toggle switches, numbered I through 28, were affixed to one side of the small
container; three rows of six switches alternating with two rows of five. On the opposite side
of the box were six brass-like pole or twist-type switehes numbered 2l through 26. The
serews used to seeure the lid were numbered I through 12 eounter-cloekwise around the lid.
The X-rays revealed a wire terminating at eaeh switeh and the end of eaeh serew.

Among the components of the larger box were several switching apparatus. One resembled a
single pole, single throw, normally open switch, possibly serving as an anti-opening switeh.
Two, m-echanisms that could have been time delay switehes. During the examination of the
IED, an intermittent sound could be heard, perhaps emanating from one of these spparatus.

74
IMPROVISED GAS
OR EXPLOSIVE DEVICE

Information coneernirg the r€eovery of an utusual improvis{ e:glosive device (IED) was reeently received frcm
the West German Feddral Criminal Folce (BKA), Criminal Deviees Information Service. The IED eontained hydro-
c{rloeic aeid and irun fitings and was to be aetuated throtgh a eomplex eleettonic eireuit. A deseription is row
available to FBI Bomb Data Center (BDC) special teehnieian pqrtieiPants.
STOIGiOUIO

A small paekage, wrapped in crepe paper, was diseovered lying urder a radiator in a Heidelbergr West Germsny'
irtaurait. tio Oatti'ries, an etietiid eireuit, a switei, and a heating eoll were revealed in 8n X-ray taken of-
the item. After its rcmovil to a demolition disposal site, the the srspieious objeet was defused and dishssembled.

oESCilPTlOl 0F lEYlcc

Tlre IED wes enelced in a DunhiU lntemetional eigarette paekage, meanrirg approximately 3 ila irches by 3
t/2 irrches by ?/8 irrch, and wrapped in th€ etrepe paper. Tlre paekage, whieh showed randonl puneture marksr eon-
trirEd both ihe fiUer inO ttre igriltiorr deviee. The e:plosive eontent of the IED eonsisted of a sealed pla$ie beg
of hydroeNorie aeid surrounded bg a small guantity of ircn filir4s. The igition deviee was eonstructed frcm:
- Two 9 volt batterie ;
- A push button switcrh (multiple on'off switch);
- An improvised switcnitg eireuit; and
- e heaiing eoil, eontrotl-C ty a series of transistors and condensens, used as an ignition delay device.

The eoil was iruerted into the bag of aeid.

oprtlTltc tYsTlll 0F ?llE rcrlTlox DEvlcc,

SCIIEMATIC DIAGRIM OF IGTITIOX SYSTEM

75
The two I volt batteries, whieh were conneeted in parallel, prrovide power fon the system. When elosed, the switeh
(S on the sc$€matic diagram) aompletes a eireuit in whieh Tl and Ti are switched ihrough, and T3 and T4 are
diseonneeted. This cbes not permit eunent through R5, the heating eoil. The igritim deviee, therefore, is unarmed
until the switeh b opened. At this time, tlre eleetrie eircuit ineorporating R5 iJ eompleted by the following means.
Capaeitors Cl and C2 release their eharge via the voltage dividers R2, R3, and the bise currint of T1. Onee
Cl and C2 arc diseharged, Tl and T2 ere bloeked via R3. Simultaneously, the base of T3.beeomes positive via
R4 and the T3 and T4 transistors, whieh are wired in a Darlington eireuit (compound conneeted transistors) are
fully &iven.
Tte switehing eireuit acts as an ignition device with a delay time of approximately cre hour after arming. When
the IED was reeoveretl, the switeh was in the 'bn" position and it was, therefee, rinarmed.
OPSRITTT OF TIIE OYENTtt SYSTEM

The heatirg eoil was presumably intended to prlduee trydroehlorie aeid wpors. tt is elso poesible thet the fabrieator
of the IED had intended to prduee a ehemical reaction between the tlrdrochlorie aeid ani tne iron filings in order
to create hy&ogen when the aeid was released. The hydrogen eould then have been ignited by the heating ooil.
lllere would have been an immediate voltage dp to 3 to 4 volts when T3 and T4 wert switcrhed on. ThiJwould
oeeur. beeause of the p@r cathod€ eurrent cdara'eteristies of the transistors, end th€ low capaeity Q x 0.24 ampere
hours) end rnfavorable intenral rcsistanee of the batteries. With the resultiirg low eument, ine nlatirg eoil wolu
have shown only a sligltt increase in temperature. Under load, the voltage would luve continued to de-crease steadily.

t?:Grlt ro?t
Tests qr this device' eorducted by the Offiee of Criminal lnvestigation in Stuttgart, Germany, indicate that ignition
by means of the eleetrie eircuit would have been higtrly probable if rn epetrt had attempted io freeze the deiie€
with liguid nitrogen.

00*mr?
'fhe rcPort qt this deviee indieates two obvious hazards to a teehnieian enminirg srrch an tED or ettempting its
disarsembly. Crepc paper is extremely flemmable and coutd have ignited fipm a minimal amount of heit in-the
coil. lt combusts, furthermore, almct irstantaneously and burns rittr ur intense Oame. Serious burns'outd result.
ln maly eases, eq/ogenies proride a visble avenue foc deaetivatirg IED. As ras noted, however, fieezing this
complex^eleetrcnic syst_em giglrt have caused a detonation. Atthdugh the ciginating sgeney did rpt eitdani
leasons for this,pGsibililt1r i! may- be tryggthesized that frcezing woutC ue rnrsafe orJ td ttre-folowirg eireuri-
stanee. The ultimate initiation of this IED would be dependent on both the internption and ompletlcr of various
eleetlical eireuits. Freezitg the components eould cause a enrciat interrrptifi?fEiFent and allow actution
of the detonating cireuit.

76
 IMPROVISED INSPECTION LAMPS

lmpnovlsE0 il3P80fl0t LlllPS

30l'lr: lanl slrad, lrltln.r! Coullt Pali3. ottrrltlnnl, Tar3aa, llrrtlrid.

Having noted on severd occasiors while working with improvised explosive deviees (IED) that the operation might
have been faeilitated with a small probe-typc inspeetion lamp, an FBI Bomb Data Center (BpC) speeial technieian
partieipant has developed several sueh apparatus. Construction details for these small lamps, all of whieh are
suitable for use in narrow, inaeeessible areas, are provided in this bulletin. Eaeh of the deviccs ean be loeally
fabrieated from readily available materials and will probably not eost over $5.00. An item of this kind ean be
a gteat boon to the teehnieian, as the eost of a eomnercially manufaetured lamp sueh as a physieianb lftrt eould
be prohibitive for,many law enforcement ageneies.

h3rrctiol lrnD Urarg Phor. J.oki

One of the Baltimore inspection lamps for IED was constructed from a standard 6 volt plastie eneased lantern
modified by the addition of a flexible lighting device. Components of this modifieation are: a set of msle and
female mini-phone jacks, a 6 volt grain of wheat lamp, a pieee of heat shrink tubing, and a length of double strand
wire (sueh as leg wires). These items are depieted in Figure l. Although the inspeetion lamp is not designed to
operate in connection with the hand lantern, the internal eomponents of this light are used to power the inspection
device.

77
 n.

_-\..F

s
il

FIcURE l: PHOflE JACt lxSPECTlOtt LAMP (t' FGm.lr Phonc Jrcl ConPon.nt; B'Mllr 0omponrt?; 0' Gt.ir ol wht.l Lrng)

To fabrieate the improvised lamp, the female mini-phone jack (Figure 1, A) is wired internally to the lantern eir-
euit ry: one leg wire to the base eonneetor of its bulb; th€ other, to the ground side. This was done on the PPoto-
(Figure
type in orcier that the jaek eould be plugged in at any time. The male portion of the phone jack apparatus
1, B) is affixed to the length of double strand wire. At the other end of this wire, the grain of wheat lamP is atteehed
(Figure 1, C); it is proteeted by the piece of tubing from any type of aeeidental eleetrical eontaet or grounding
out. When the male phone jaek is ptugged into the other portion, a lamp with a flexible working distanee equal
to the length of wire is provided. This item ean be used in any aperture lsrger than the 3/16 ineh diameter of
the grain of wheat lamp.

The length of wire ean be varied to suit the convenienee of the teehnieian or to meet the requirements of
its pro-

spective use. The fabrieator of the prototype deviee experimented with various lengths ranging from 2. inches
to l0 feet; he determined that s length of 5 feet was the most useful for his rcwn operations. It should be remembered
that qs the length of the wire inereases, the greater resistanee will result in a dimmer light.

78
lmprori3!d lnrpec?ion Lamp with Fibct oplic Atlrehfient

Another tool, which can provide two t],pes of illumination, was also developed by the Baltimore County Bomb
Squad staff. This apparatus is similar in some ways to the phone jaek deviee' although it is more eompact and
expensive to construet, It utilizes a 2 eell AA pen light with two accessories: a fiber optie length (a flexible
fiber whieh will ineandesee throughout its length - usually used for deeorative table lamps); and a grain of wheet
light attaehed to a wire, simil,ar to the item used in the phone jack inspection lamp. See Figure 2. Both of the
attachments for this protot-vpe were 18 inehes long.

FIGURE 2: MO0tFIED PElt LIcHT APPARATUS (A- Pen Light; B- Fibct 0ptic; C- lmptovi3rd Eriin 0l lilhrel Lamp)

79
Either the fiber optie or the gtain of wheat lamp apparatus ean be attaehed to tne pen light. (NOTE: The pro-
tective shield on the pen light can be utilized or removed as needed.) The fiber optie ean be used to probe any
surface where explosive residue is found or where I nonexplosive lamp is needed. See Figure 3. Figure 4 shows
the other inspeetion device attaehed to the pen light body. This lamp can be used for internal examinations in
any area larger than 1/8 inch. A grain of wheat light for this aeeessory can be improvised from the bulb of the
pen light. The glass is removed, and one portion of the double-strand lead wire is soldered to the eenter of its
base. The seeond wire is soldered to the side of the base, and the interior filled. with an epoxy. This will keep
out dirt and dtst, as well as preventing the soldered connections from pulling apart.

TIGHT WITH FIBEi OPTIC ITTACIIMEXT

 r 'J'|P ^9ie.,-, r*;:.->.'. r.+4
--C€?€a*i,+4"._

C !F=}

FIGUAE II PEII TIGHT flITH GRAII OF I|HEAT IIMP APPARITUS

The fabrieator of these deviees notes: t'Due to the flexible nature of these individual probes, they sre very usefut
in tight areas. The three items shown are very flexible beeause they are not of speeialized design. The pen light
can be earried at all times and the inspeetion lamp is small enough to fit in the jaeket poeket."

COMME'IT

This teehnieian eoncludes his deseription of this equipment by stating: 'tlt is the expressed desire of this teeh-
nician that all available information and technologv that is being deveioped by other teehnicians be exchanged
in order to make our job easier and safer.'! Other ageneies or teehnieians are urged to submit deseriptions of similar
loeally fabrieated apparatus, as well as any modifieation or adaptions of the items presented in this publication.

81

.
INCENDIARY DEVICES

l. 0l$.ltlc.lion: B!3trictrd T.clnlc.l 0.1r.

2. $U.ct: hcrlal.t' o.vicc..

l. trurcr: orr.alln B.ob D.tr C$tr. (C3DC).

a. Slclttcltd: Through the eourtesy of the Canadian Bomb Data Centre (CBDC), Royal Canadian Mormted Poliee,
CBDC Teehnieal Bulletin 1(F?6 is reprinted below. This bulletin deseribes two ineendiary deviees that were diseovered
intaet. Both the deviees and their eomponents should be of interest to FBI Bomb Data Progran Speeial Teehnieians
Bulletin reeipients. (Figue 2, 3, 4 and 5 were provided by the CBDC for this bulletin, and were not ineluded
tn their original publieation. )

?ECllilCtI tIF0Rrt?t0t

Tnro incendary deviee discovered in the basement of a small apartment building on eeparate dates. April 24 and
26, t are the subJect of this bulletin. In eaeh instanee tlle deviee was diseovered by the owner of a beauty
salon whieh was toeated on the street floor level of the building. The devices were hidden beneath an old mattress
in the basement in an area allocated to tenants for the storag€ of personal belongings.

The two deviee are referred to as rAtr and nB'in order of diseovery date. Although nAn was diseovered two days
prior to rBn, it was not reported to poliee by the owner of the beauty parlor until the 26 Aprtl. It is possible the
seeond deviee was in the basement when the first was found, but this has not been eonfirmed.

A motive of personal venganee aimed at the beauty parlor owner has been identified.

Deviee "A" Q,mpgnel$

Container: A 6 volt plastie eased rrOustomlr

lantern manufaetured by NICHOLL BROS.
lNC., Kansas City, Mo., U.S.A. (Figure 1).
The lers of the lantern was broken. Two
white insulated eleetrical wire (belorging
to the lantern eleetrieal eircuit) with guick
diseonneet terminals attaehed, extended
through a hole in the lens. See Figure 1. .,,:fi
1r,i;ii'
Power Souee: A 6 volt RAY-O-VAC dry
eell battery, Model No. 941. When found,
the battery was in its normal position with-
in the lantern casing. lt had an efficieney
of 2 volts.
FIGURE I

lncendiary Composition: lnside the lantern headlight cavity was an empt:/ elear polyethylene bag whieh had previously-
contained a quantity of volatile liquid. The liguid fuel had evaporated. Subsequent laboratory analysis indieated
a mixture of rubbing aleohol with 20 - 25 pereent water content had been used.

82
Initiator: An AG-18 flash bulb manufactured by Canadian
General Eleetric. The plastie Shatterproof eoating had been
removed from the bulb. Attaehed to, and eoiled around the
bulb were two 30 foot lergths of telephone wire with blue
and grey insulation eoverings. The bulb and loosely eoiled
wiring were found inside the headlight eavity along with the
polyethylene bag. See Figure 2.

Functioning

Since no delay eomponent wes ineorporated it is assumed

that the 30 foot length of telephone wire was intended
as a rreommand' cable to initiate the ineendiary eompa-
sition from a relatively safe distance. With the flash bulb
inserted into, or in contaet with the fuel filled polyethylene
bag, touching the bare wire ends to the terminals of a
remotely plaeed power souree would generdly ensure
ignition. It is not known whether the bdttery in the
lantern easing or another poner source was intended
for use.
FIOUBE
Render Safe Procedure
'
Considering that the device had previously been handled and partially disassembled by the finder, the poliee teehnieian
separated remaining eomponents in situ.

Deviee trBrr

Two plastic "Baggiesu containing volatile fuel with a flash bulb initiator were the only similarities to Deviee nAn.
An eleretronie delay fuzing eircuit similar to that described in F.B.l. Speeiat Technieians Bulletin $as ineoryo-
rated for device initiation. No eleetronie delay fuzing eircuit has previously been reported used in this countra.

Peytsg J9ne9!9l!!
Ineendiary Composition: As in device "A". (Rubbing alcohol containing 20 - 25 percent water).
lnitiator: A Canadien General Eleetrie flash
bulb Model AG-IB, with the shatterproof plastic
coating removed. Approximately 36 inehe of
dual eonduetor, white plastie insulated tran-
sistor ear?hone wire was eonnected to the
flash bulb wire terminats at one end. The
opposite end of this eable was eonneeted
to an earphone jaek plug which was inserted
into the jaek reeeptaele of a small transistor
radio containing the eleetronie delay, See
Figure 3.

Eleetronie Component contajner: A "Selfix"

transistor radio approximately 2 1/2 x 4 inehes
in width and length. The two pieee moulded
plastie eesing was taped together with blaek vinyl
tape, See Figure 4.

FIGURE 3

83
 qqGlF?..t+t; * . !rir#.!r.tlrq rr. * # ,r*:
{a!r*i'aiF-{ * .{afrai.F+* rirr- &{ {+:. .*-rt-
rrrr.*.'..+ !:-6".#1
F5ffi**.
fr#lFlF{*araFlF*
|ffi"
-{arilffifFa
l||lilFrlulB

.G
_--"tf
" rllll
q{b
t"

TIGUBE I

Power Sourees:

FiringCireuit:.2,l.SvoltEveready(heavyduty)typeAAbatteries,ModelNo. 1215.

Delay Circuit: 1, 9 volt Eveready transistor battery, Model No. 216.

Eleetrical Wiring: Eleetrical wiring used in the deviee eonstruetion is the type used exelusively by the Bell Telephone
Company of Canada (Bell Canada). (In Figure 5 Deviee'rB" is assembled.)

nfn-;, r1.4mrur
:i *l*k

il-m
.a*r'F
ffi
.tS{-
-:tF
",!n,-

FIGURE 5

84
 ?touiE 8

Eleetronie Components

lC1 Integrated Cireuit - Timer (SSS 400? AE) P2 Delay Post

l9z Integrated Cireuit - Counter (SIL 4020 BE) P3 Delay Post
lC3 Integeted Cireuit - Counter (SIL 4020 BE) Jf Phone Jaek
SCRf Silieon Contrdled Reetifier (Thyristor)
(cEc 106 Bl)
Fl Flash Bulb
lCl ldentified as a "Dual eomplementary pair
Cl Eleetrolytie Capacitor .l mfd. 50 volt DC plus inverterr Modet SSS 400? AE
C2 Eleetrolytie Capaeitor .l mfd. 50 volt DC manufaetured by Solid State Scientific of
C3 Eleetrolytie Capaeitor .033 mfd. 50 volt DC Montgomeryvile, PA. during the 49th week
C4 Eleetrolytic Capacitor 50 mfd. 10 volt DC of 19
Rl Resistor 4?0 K. ohm IC2 and IC3 ldentified as rll stage pair glus
R2 Resistor 6.8 Meg. ohm binary eounter,/dividern Model SIL 4020 BE
Rg Resistor I Meg. ohm manufaetured by SILTECH of Bromont, P.Q.
R4 Resistor 370 K, ohm during the 20th week of
SWI trlicro Switeh (normally elosed) SWI A miero-switch was ineorporated to avoid
81 Power Source - Firing Cireuit transient spike from enabling the device.
82 Power Source - Delay Circuit (To eliminate the possibility of aeeidentally
Pl Delay Post triggering the deviee.)

Funetioning

The eircuitry of this deviee eonstitutes an eleetronie timer whieh supplies power to an igniter (flash bulb) after
a predetermined time period has elapsed. No moving or mechanieal parts are involved. The total function of
the deviee is aeeomplished eleetronieally, There is no visual or audible indication that any timing proeess is taking
place.

Timer (ICl) emits a pr.rlse every 3.12499 seeonQ at contaet #1. These pulses ane repeated and lorwaided to eontaet
#10 (IC2) gnd eounte-d. A eonsiant number of-2" pulses are counted by C2 whieh sends a ? volt signal at a f ixed
-the
iime of 2nx3.1 25 seeonds. (The value n for 2n is ihe stage number of binary counter seleeted to signal the
firing eireuit.)
The eireuit uses 3 posts (Pl, 2 and 3) for seleetion of time delap.

Post I orovides a delav of 14.22 hours.

F6FI broviOes a delay of 455.04 hours. (approximately 20 <iays) if pin f l0 of tC3 is eonneeted to pin #3 of tC2.
TfilTeiay would be too long and impraetieal, hence pin f 10 was left uneonneeted. Post 2 is at logie gtound and
would be a non-firing or safe position for storing or transporting the deviee.
Post 3 is again too 16ry a delay for reliable use: Aszuming pin #10 of ICi to be eonneeted to pin il3 of lC2, the
?6ii6Fing dilays would be possible.

85
 COUNTER tc2 COUNTER IE3

Contaet { Contaet I
10 3.r3 seconds 10 14.22 hours
I 6.25 n
9 l. f 8 daln
? 50. il
7 9.48 'n
5 1.6 minutes 5 18.96
4 3.3 n
4 31 .92 ',
6 6.6 tr .6 ?5.84 ',
13 13.3 tt .13 I5r.68 il
t2 26.6 lt .12 303.36 n

14 53.3 lt .14 606.?2 "n

15 t.7 hours .15
.l I 2r3.44
r 3.55 ll
2426.88 ',
2 1.tl n ]2 4853 ?6
. ',
3 14.22 .3 9707 .52 ',

COMMEIT

M.U.C. teehnicians state that although this sophistieated deviee was apparenuy designed by a person with an ad-
vaneed knowledge of integrated eireuits, soldering methods and teehniques and general eonstruetion was very
uprofessional (sie).

Both alevices were functional. In tests eonducted by teehnicians it was determined that the ineendiary eomposition
could be readily ignited with the type flash bulb used - providing the shatterproof covering was removed, as it
had been in both instanees.

Render Safe Proeedwe

In situ, the flashbulb was removed from the flammable liguid and phpieally separated from other deviee eomponents.
Components w€re then removed from the seene for investigation and laboratory analysis.

RENDER SAFE PROCEDURES DETAILED IN C.B.D.C. TECHNICAL BULLETINS ARE EXTRACTED FROI\T RE-
PORTS RECEIVED. THE INFORMATION IS OFFERED AS GENERAL KNOT{LEDGE ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED
.4S A CONCLUSIVE PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION IN LIKE CIRCUMSTANCES. DUE TO THE UNLI}IITED POSSI-
B;LITIES IN ilIETHODS OF CONSTRUCTION GUARANTEED RSPs FOR IEDs CANNOT BE PREDEFTNED.

*Battery to run logie eireuit would have failed by this time,

86
IRANIAN CONSULATE BOMBING
LETTER BOMB EXTORTION PLOT

BOI'IBING INCIDENT AT FOREIGN CONSULATE

SOURCE: Foreign

Background

While making his rounds after 10:00 the night of April 26, the earetaker of the
Iranian General Consulate loeated in Berlin-Dahlem, notieed two individuals leaving the
eonsulate grounds. Continuing his rounds, the earetaker eame upon a brown traveling
case eontaining an unusual improvised explosive deviee (IED). See Figures and 2. A
I
bomb expert from poliee headquarters in Berlin was ealled and was able to deaetivate
the device approximately seven minutes before antieipated detonation.

FIGURE I: DARK BROWN TRAVEL BAG

87
 FIGURE 2: OPEN TRAVEL 8AG tVlTH DEVICE

Lruc{e*:c.:i:::::;iill
FIGURE 3: ENTIRE EXPLOSIvE DEVICE

Components

The disarmed bomb was determined to be an explosive deviee with a mechanical tirne
delay meehanism. A steel eanister of the type used to hold liquid gas for eamping
purposes, eontained approximately L1 pounds of an impure sodium ehlorate and sugar
mixture. See Figure 4. The initiating mechanism eonsisted of several components
ineluding: a 9 volt transister battery, a timer, a magnetie holder from a magnetie door
iock, a toggle switeh and a flashbuib. Also used were two banana plugs with eross
perforation, two banana plug eonneetors, mateh heads, trvo insulated eopper wires, two
insulated annunciator wires, red plastie adhesive tape and red linen adhesive tape.

88
 FIGURE 4: UPPER PART OF THE STEEL BOTTLE WITH
SCREWED.ON VALVE AND INSERTED DETONATION WIRES

?ME'I ER
::rlir 'i !; ' l. t
1,",1:,r'lrnrl

FIGURE 5: LINOLEUM PLATES wlTH Tlt''lER, TOGGLE stvlTcH,

' IYtRE CONN ECTIONS,AND BANANA PLUGS

89
Design

The battery, toggle switeh and timer were mounted on two linoleum plates,
approximately 12 inehes by 8 inehes.. See Figure 5. The plates were held together with
red linen adhesive tape and/or plastie adhesive tape. Thgwire conneetions ran between
the plates. The battery was mounted on one of the plates with string and the toggle
switeh, whieh was provided for safety in transport. It was sunk flust into the piaie.
The "on" and "off" positions of the toggle switeh were marked on the plate with
rrA'r. The timer, with a maximum running time of 60 minutes, was mounted with "E,'and
glue
next to the battery. On one side of the timer, a magnetie holder from a magnetie i'oor
loek had been plaeed, and an iron nail was attaehed to tne winding pin as a eontact.

A blue insulated wire soldered onto the negative pol: of the battery led to the toggle
sn'itch, and from there a red insulated wire led td tfre metal strip of the door magi6t.
After the set time had elapsed (a maximum of 45 minutes *itn tne arpangement
des-cribed above), the iron nail attaehed to the winding pin would have struck the metal
strip. The nail was eonneeted to the flashbulb insidl the steel botile via a ptug an-
eonnected.through to a red insulated wire. Likewise, a blue piece of wire was soldered
to the positive pole of the battery, whieh led to the seeond'pole of the flashbulb via a
banana plug and conneetor. The scraped off mateh heads (primer eharge) *u.Jnour"a
in.a paper-wlapping and transparent adhesive tape, and shoved into theExplosive, along
with the flashbulb. See Figures 6, ?, and 8. Thglinoleum plates with the battery, time"r
and toggle switch were mounted on the steel bottte with 3/4 inch wicle eloth idfresive
tape.

FIGURE 6: cur-oPEN PAPER wRApprNG wtrH scRApED oFF MATCH HEADS

FIGURE 7: vALvE wlrH DETONATTNG rvtREs AND pRIMER cHARGE

90
 ;*rl'
J..:.

i't:'i;i -ti

FIGURE 8: FLASHBULB FOR FUSE

After the timer was wound and the preseribed period of time elapsed, the nait attaehed
to the winding pin would toueh the metal strip of the door magnet. The battery eharge
would ignite the flashbulb with the primer eharge (mateh heads) attaehed to it,
initiating the deviee.
 Connections

6ee6N
-E n8

ffC*tr.:{'l!, t ? lll r.r F

FIGURE 9: IGNITION DEVICE FROM ATTET'IPTED BOMBING OF ISRAELI TRAVEL OFFICE

FIGURE l0: Fl-ASHBULB USED

The examination and analysis of this unusual device enabled authorities to eonneet this
ease to: (1) the bombing of an Egyptian travel offiee in Berlin on January 19 (2)
the attempted bombing of Berlin traffic operations on Mareh 14, (3) the
attempted bombing of an Israeli travel offiee in Berlin on Mareh 30 and (4) the
attempted firebombing of an attorneyrs motor vehiele on Berlin on lflay 31, See
Figures 9 and 10.

FIGURE I l: CIRCUIT DIAGRAt{

FLASHBULB FOR FUSE

93
LETTER BOMB
EXTORTION PLOT

l. 0larrifcrtion: Rr3trict.d Taclnlcrl Drt..

2. Srbrrel: L!ilcr Bonb Enoni.n Plot.

t Scurca: Ocnrtlic.

a. B.ctground: On June 14, en envelope exploded in the mail room of a New York eorporation offiee building
injuring four people. This explosion, whieh was apparently related to extortion deman&, heralded the beginning
of I @neerted letter bomb attack throughout the United States. By the end of that day eleven additional bomb
devices had been reeeived in the mail of eorporate executives in seven eities. By the end of the next day, the
total was 16. By Friday June 18, 18 letter bomb6 were reeeived. All but one of the letter bomb6 have been sue-
eessfnlly disman0ed.

The extortion case which preeipitated the rash of attempted bombings began in October, Letters were sent
to about 200 corporate exeeutives threatening retaliatory aetion if money was not deposited in a speeific bank
aeeount. Some of the demands contained ticks purporting to ear"y dargerous diseases, and some ineluded ghoto-
graphs of the addresees as seen through the eross hairs of a gun.

This bulletin eontains a deeription of the recovered devices, as well as the dismantling proeedrre used by the
New York City PoUce Department Bomb Seetion,

TECHTICAT !TFORMI?IOX

Each deviee has been enclosed in a 9n x l2r'or l0r'x l3n manila envelope, and has been approximately 3/4" thick.
Four'pieees of eardboard, a I volt battery, an electrie blasting eap (number 6), a matehbox (about ln x 2n x l")
eontaining an ammonium nitrate and fuel oil mixture (ANFO), and a metal switeh were used to eonstruet eaeh
item. The ANFO was wrapped in metal foil before insertion into the box.

FIGURE I: PHOTOGRAPH OF DEVICE COMPOIIEXTS

94
Essentially all the devices were @nstrueted in the same w8y, although there were minor variations. The battery'
r*tton, uox eontaining explosive and blasting cap are setr.ned to-one pieee of eardboard, which is fixed to
ir,i "tio The batteri anit uox are positioned near the bottom of the envelope, with the switch between them'
eloser to the eenier of the eardboard sheet. See Figure 2. This eardboard base had a triang.le eut from
"n""rope.
slishtlv
G'i"p""0g", .oirt"t it would not be removed with the otheienvelog€ eontents. Two sheetsinserted of eardboard were
cut from one of the shorter sides. The edge of this is between the
iiueOiogitfier and a 5n x 6u seetion
piecg of eardboard !s plage<t over the entire deviee
A;Gfi;ilG of tf," s*iiofr anO lroviOes insulation. Aisfourth
before insertion into tn" inu"topi. when the envelope opened, the top sheet and insulstor would be removed,
eompleting the eireuit.

IIRES

onossEc?lol 0F su{l?gll

FIGURE 2: AiTIST'S COICEPT OF TY PIOAT DEVICE

The switehes for these deviees were eonstructed from Bakelite plates and metal tabs. For each switeh, three
plaies were glued together. A metal tab was affixed to eaeh outer plste in sueh a way that they would make
Lontact, if ai insulaior were not inserted between them. The switeh eontaets are @nneeted to the battery and
one leg wire of the blssting cap. The other leg wire is fastened to the battery.

95
 WV
DOTTED TII{E REPRESENTS
cuTouT tN 8 3E CAnDE0ARD

FIGURE t: 0EVICE lt ETVEt0PE uiTtSl'S C0tCEpTl

otsMAxTuxG pR0cE0UREs

THESE PROOEDUBES, I{HICH HAVE BEEX USED IT SPEOIFIEO TXSTIXCES TO DISMITTLE TIIE DE.
YICE, ARE PROYIOED FOR ITFORMATIOX PUBPOSES OTIY. PAR?ICIPI]ITS IRE REMITDEO
THAT TIIERE IS TO SAFE PiOGEOURE FOR DISMATTTIXG ATY IMPROVISED EXPLOSIYE DEYICE.

The following disarming proeedure was used by the New York City Poliee Department Bomb Seetion.

. The envelope was taped down and x-rayed.

. At this time thPee items were identified: Two copper strips and an eleetric blasting cap.
. A slit was made in-an edge of the envelope opposite from where the deviee was situated, and the paper of
the envelope lifted up so that the eomponents effixed to the cardboard were exposed.
. All four pieeep of eardboard were slid simultaneously from the envelope. ALL CARDBOARD SHOULD BE
REMOVED INTACT IN ORDER TO AVOID DISLODGING THE INSULATING CARDBOARD.
. The blastitlg cap was removed from the matehbox, the eireuitry examined, and the leg wires eut.
. The device was examined to determine if any secondary improvised explosive deviees were present.
. The remaining eomponents were left intact to faeilitate laboratory examination.

NOTE: lf X-ray equipment is not available, the teehnieian will be able to feel the battery and matehbox through
the eardboard.

96
 colttExT

FIGURE I: ETYEIOPE SHOWITG IODNE$ LABET

either a
Other devices of this kind may be reeeived. Those already reeovered have shown a typedaddress,on ere-warned
blue-bordered wtrite maitinjlio"i, ot dark brown gumniec tape. See Figure 4.- FBI BDP.partieipants
-letter "" iittr of this deseription. Those
io u" *"." of this type of bomb and to op€n eaution any manila envelopes
received so far have neen posimarfced Texarkana or Atlanta, Texas. Personnel who open mailin
large coneerns
itt'o"" tnat wepe targets in the extoition sttempts, should be thoroughly briefed concerning
"no-"g"n"i"r,espeeially
the deviees and possible danger.

ii
,l
4
{

97
 LETTER BOMBS

LE'TEN SOMBS

3rncr: Fmlgn.

The postal system is a eonvenient means for sending animprovised explosive devic.e (lED) to a partieular target,
-have
ineluding the poatal servic"e.itself.- Worldwide, seoris of srieh deviees been eneountered,
even greater numbeF have been placed by terrorist gr.oups for various social or politieal Feasons.
in ."o"ni yliit
"na
Although letter bombs vary frcm device to device, th€r€ are relatively few basie ty?es. This report describes
examPles of som€ of these basie types, and X-rays are ineluded to nssist teefifici-eiaris'in reeognizirg some of the
deviees that eoutd be eneountered.

Keep in mind that this report js.not intended-to be used as the ultimate authority on the method of funetionirg
of any postal lED, nor should it F-assumed thet letter bombs are limitetl to thei: examples.

GOTPOTEI?S AXD PAGIIGIIG

There arc wide variations in package size, amount and type of filter, and IED weigtrt. The amount of explosive
and the tyPe of initiating system are normally dietated by the thickness of the eoitainer. It is eonvenieirt to
eonsider them in three size ranges: less than 6mm, ?mm to 30mm, and over 30mm.

LESS THAN 6MM: l,etter.bombs in envelopes thinner than 6mm woutd not generalllr eause suspicion. This size,
however, imposes severe limits on.what eomponents can be used. One exariple emitoyeo a oraiting eap whieh '
had been flattened in a viee,-a spring-loaded firing mechanism made from a hat uriss strip no $ti.fi"r itt"n lrr,
and filler eomprcssed, and rolled into a flat sheet ippr.oximately 2mm thick. (Refer to prtritograptr of deviee no.
l.) Sinee eommereial blasting caps in general heve I diameter of approximately ?mm, ihis tf,en must be the mini-
mum thickness of any postal IED eontaining an unmodified detonatoi.

?MM To 3Oiflt!: In the ?mm to 30mm thickness range (from thiek envelopes to flat boxes, for example), a wide
variety of e:plcives and eo_mponents have been used.- IED in this category have employed sticks or -eompressed
packs of.dynamite, bags of ineendiary mix, and eleetric or nonelectrie utaiting eapsbrigniters. in
eonjunction
with various power sourees (from eamera batteries to fleshlight batteries), an-O ali tlrpeiof actuating ireehanisms
(pyroteehnic igniters, mieroswitches, eontaet foils, clothespi-ns, improvised pull
switehes, elockworlidelays, ete.).
In order to ensure that components 1) funetion eorrectly,2) do not get jostlec about while enroute through
the
postal system, and 3) eannot be.felt through the out€r wnapping, it is neeessery to provide rigid
support inside
ttle paekage. If this is not ca.rried out properly by the bomberfit is possible toi tne initiaiini syiiem to beeome
dislodged while enroute, posing the risk of premiture detonation. Hollowed-out uops, geeiing eard boxes, and
thiek eard mounting board.s have been utilized for this purpose,

LARGER THAN 30Ml{: ln pareels greater than 30mm thiek. it is not neeessary to c\ompress the bomb's eomponents.
Conseguently, sueh deviees ean contain large explosive or ineendiary eharges iir rigid u<ixes (eigar boxes or shoeboxes
for example). or in an improvised box madJfrom a wooden frame and covered with esrdboard. or even insicle a
gift within a box.

Initiation systems have ineludeC switehes sueh as mieroswitehes, mousetraps, and improvised pull switehes: timing
deviees sueh as alarm elocks and poeket watehes; a wide range of batteries; and eommercjal detonators or eleetrie
gas igniters used for firing the eharge.

txtTtlTt 0r sYs?EM

Where an IED is intendec for a speeifie target (as opposed to a deviee whieh will fire at s pre-set time no matter
where it is), target partieipation is reguired. This inctudes sueh actions as opening a lettei by inserting a letter

98
opener, undoing an envelope flap, tmtying a string, lifting a lid, or. removirg the pareel's @ntents. It is unlikely
if,"t $,'e bombin its wropeneo riite ",ouio be trifgered simply by handling it^, sinee it.has already.gone through
typ"u of postal machinery before arriving at its destinaliol. Lng' of eourse, it has been
-designed
with
ttris in mii,o. This means that th; initiating system of a postal IED whieh is intended for a specifie target
"".iou. must
UJ-U"seO on any manipulating that is necesiary to open or separate the inner eontents frorn
the wrapping.

(NOTE: This eonelusion should never be I reason for handling I susp€ct deviee with less than the greatest of
eaution, since safety depends largely on how well the device was made,)

systems have one thing in eommon - they are designed to produee a flame. The flame
is
All initiation be 'lireeted
achieved ehemi-
either into an incendiapy *i" io stait a fire, or into a detonator io start an explosion. This can
cally, meehanically, or eleetrically.
sltstems whieh have
cHEMICAL INITIATION: This process is based on mixing two chemieals to ptoduee a flame.
been eneountered usually emptoy a liguid and a solid, whieh normally are quite stable wien kept separate. Initiation
o""u.i a frangiUle"contiin6r of ihe liquid is brrken or an open-€nded vessel eontaining the liquid is inverted'
the tiquidio mix with the solid. Obviously this latter system is urreliable since it could functionfaeilities'
"n"n while
"Uo"ing iii.ing delivery. por this r""*i, though, it lLs been utilized to attaek postal serviee
O"i'g },i"af"O uery_
eondom whieh had been eoated
In an ineident invotving ihe iostat serviee, ihe e*ptci"_e Jevice contained a rubber
intu-"rli"ith wax anl iul& wittr a liquiil ehemiial. Handling themix peekage by postal employees caused the wax
ii;i[6ft"k, tnus auowirg trrJriqulo to dissolve the rubber lnd with a biio, which in turn eaused a fire.
have been used:
MECHANICAL INITIATION: There ar€ three versions of mechanical initiation Elstems whieh
aomposition in .
impaei, i.ietion, or puneiure. An impaet system requites a blow to be delivered to sensitive
n
r small eontainer. en ii one b"vioe cairseo a shotgun eqp !o be strtrk a light- bloq !y a spring driven
,"r El!"reO UV a sensitive trigger w-tric+r wgs held down by- a folded ca-rd ircide an etvelope'
hammer. Tte hammer "ri"n-g"r"ni
Ttre deviee would not firJr6tif piessuie by the enveloli and folded c?rd.on the tiigger was lifted. This type of
itiiii"tiii" i" O""o*U"a-ai'meenanieal, prtssuri ttlease" (see deviee no' l)'
"Vti"t
Matc*res and sandpaper oould comprise a friction-type initiatirg system. It€ mateh€s eould be afranged-to serap€
;il;; pi.* or jinirp"p"-r-"r,"i'1iliil;1;ti;r wii Erlled rro-n its ervelope. Deviee no. 2 is an example of
another frietion-initiated lED.
bl,asting cap
A puneturre system has been reported-where a needte was positioned -in ltt mouth of a noneleetrie
(nbc) inside an envelope. Removal of the inner paper putli<t the needle into tlre detonatorr thus prieking the sensitive
;bfil;"-i*id* Thir il r,;ry il*tt"bie, since ii ii oifficutt to produee enough energy to initiate the sensitive
compcition.
wire heated
ELECTRICAL INITIATION: Eleetric initiating systems produee-a flame- or sPa+ -usilg an ignition
is passed throucJt i!:_s]f_l_1i.::^:."
to be found
6i"A;dtt*"& uy it"iesistance io an eleetiic-eurrentcapswhich (ebe);. ind they ean be imprcvised-from steel wool'
i" nasrrrigt t bulbs,'gas rignt". i*"01, eteotric blastirg
io-ue oplrative, arieleeiric initiation system must dntain a switeh and power souree, as well as the ignition wire.

An eleetrie switeh eonsists of two metal eontsets which are normally held apart to intertupt
the electric current.
When allowed to touch eeeh other, these eontacts complete the IEDb eleetrie eireuit, allowing th€ eument to
flow from the power *uio" to ttt" &ton"tor. switehe3 whieh have been used in pctal IED are. mostly-homemade
aluminum foil (deviees 5,6, & ?), brass strips-(deviee no.8), elothes-
i;;;;16"|;| irires tOevice no. b), pi"o"r of(deviee
;ili;;;;. iil, toopei wires no. l0). The most @mmon eommereially Prcduced switehes
"i.tJu"r"o
used have been mieroswitehes (deviee no.4).

where one eontact in a switeh has a foree which aets directly on it to kggq it apart fnom another eontact,
then
caneellation or release iorce (for example, by openin! a pctal IED) will eause the contaets to close and
allow an eleetrie eurrent"iiitrt
to flow. This release ot'foi.ce oesciiu* the aetion of the initiation system - in this
case, it would be described as "eleetric, pressure releaser''

Where one eontaet in a switch is held epart from another by an irsulator between them, activation
of the switch
is eaused by removirg the insulator, thus allowing the conticts to touch. lnsulator removal ean be aehieved by
;;;""i;g tire inner eonteiner completJwith the eleetric @ntacts from a paekage,-leaving the irsulator
produee the desired removal of
behincl in the outer "ip-1giiu" ad";G no. 9).' Reversing the proeedure will also
in" i*uf"tor (that is,"oni"in"r
uj' teaving the other componentJin pliee and removing the insulator).

Device S is an example of contaets made from aluminum foil and an irsulator made from card.
lt is deseribed
as neleetric, irsulator removal, card/foil". ln deviee 8r the contaet support was made
from a "C" shaped piece
oi pi"iiio, i"O tn" initi"tion system is therefore deseribed as "eleetrie' irsulator temoval, 'C'switeh"'
Where eleetrie @ntaets are normally apart and require a foree to be.applied to make them
meet' this can be
achieved, for exampte, Uy two'bare wires io toueh. The aetion-involved is the drawing together of the
"ffo"ing it is eharaeterized in this report as "eleetrie, draw wires, two wire"'
contaets'to compleie itre cireuit,ind
and extremely dangerous to assemble e:<plosive deviees of the pGta-l type, and safety
measures
tt ban be diffieult
to used. sueh irethod is to ineorporale i1-to the.eleetrieal eireuit a seeond switeh that ean
normally have be One
elose during
be elced after the deviee has been essembled. By doing this. if the first switeh should aeeidentally

99
 device assembly, no funetioning ean oeeur because the eireuit is still broken bv the seeond safdtv switeh. An
easy-method of ensuring that the safety switeh is elosed after the deviee has been assemblecr is io r"nriroiu."
a.switeh, fryt 9 timing meehanism and set this in motion before eompleting and sealing the deviee. Deviees with
time switehes included in their elecfic eireuits ean be used with any other eleetrie switeh mentioned above.
Thus a boxtomb using a.microswiteh.with a poeket wateh arming switch would be described as ,eleetrie, pressure
release, delayed arming (deviee no. 4). Similarly, a book bomb uiing aluminum @ntaet foils in the eireuit, with
a wristwatch arming switeh wouid be deseribed as t'eleetric, insulator removal, eard/foil, delayed arming" (deviee
no. br,

POI{ER SOUiGES

Powersourees for postal bombs are limited in size where there is a restrieted thiekness ofpaekage; thus in letter-
sized IED a battery thieker than Smm eannot be used. The only batteries available would bL single eell eamera
or exposure meter batteries (see deviees 3, 5. 6, &.?). The thin batterie now used in polaroid s-xzo fitm paetcs
eould also be used. but have not aDDeared so far. In the middte thiekness range, batteries such as a 9v transistor
radio battery (sec deviees g and l0) or a I5v eamera flash battery (deviee no.-b) are trre mosl popular type em-
ployed, sinee I flat 4iv battery (see device no. 4) tekes up too mueh mom in a book or a very-sf,alr ooi

I-R^Y OETECTTOI ATD NECOGXITIOT

Detection of pctal bombs.by anorganization in reeeipt of-a large amount of mail presents an enormous problem
whieh an individual reeeiving.a sirgle suspicious envelbpe ooes r6t have. For tnas.'rer"ening eluipment'uaseo
9ll vaPor tteetion' metal detection, radiation back-scatter, and X+ay- have all Ueen OesignEi A eom,
bination of metal deteetion and X-ray may be the most satiifactory. "i.tO-u*a.
Most IED contain some metal. Logically, therefore, the fir1l slep in sereenirg mail is to pass it through I metel
detleJing system. Frcm here, the assumption often is that if the're is no meta-l prcsent, then there is
irobably
no IED and this mail can be delivered normally. U.nforhn-ately, this may no lonler be ti.ue sinee receritty
a h6me-
made plastie sheathed detonator-has appeared in the Middle Fiit ano this, eomb"ined wiih; p,iisirirg/niatetrtreaa
igriter' would not be deteeted. X-ray ean be used for further examinatioi of mail whieh hai no metat pr,esent.
Deteetion by II"y aggaratus_is bqryd.-on an operator lookirg at x-ray images on a fluoroseopie screen or
TV
m.onitor, earefully examining the details seen on the screen io deeide-whetirer paoi"g"-ne"is fu.tft r
investigation.
"
The interpretation of the image.reguires-a higfr degree of skill to ensure ttnt not'hirryG mir"eJ.-fne."fore in-ini-----
ease of doubt, an er?ert should be eonsulted.-

r-pacaet needs investigation ean be aehieved by looking fo_r speeifie points in the X-ray image.
*:"r1E:lili":that
]-he tollowirB' in the form of a. eheeklist, are srggested as a-pcsible griOe. tf t-tre answer to any of the c*reeks
should be pcitive then the package must be eoniidereC suspiiious.

The first decision- in any device is whether or not 8 prcs€nt. Most detonators and igniters
-detonator or igniter is
are manufaetured in the form of a tube ranging in diameter from i to tOmh. So, the first eheek would be:
I. IS THERE A TUBE PRESENT WHOSE DIAMETER IS BETWEEN 5 AND IO MM?
This tube mly
9l-r.nay not have wires-eoming f.rom it and may or may not be totally opsque to X-rays. tf it is
not opaque it will have dark bands, blobs or triangular*'shaped areasinside it on thi x'-ray image, silnce the ex-
plcive used in these tubes contains lead or mereury which absorbs X-rays.
As a further eheck:

2. DOES THE TUBE HAVE DARK BANDS, BLOBS, OR TRIANGLES IN IT?

3. DOES THE TUBE HAVE WIRES COMINC FROM TT?

Eleetric igniters which have been made from flashbulbs or steel wool would have to be buried in some ineendiarv
eomposition to make an lED. This cpmbination of flashbulb and/or incendiary mix sno*s uj uno";t-;;V
t'fuzz.v"area,andwireseomingoutofsuehanareawouldindieatethatanlgniterisp."r"rit. ;;;;;!.
itireheckeanalso
spply to some eleetric detona_tor/explosive systems. Ignition wires ineandeice enougn *nen .ratt ou.r.ni
through them to ignite a sensitive eomposition. All el6etric detonators eontain sueh a wire whjeh
" [rr",
is normallv
buried in a sensitive composifion and thus eannot be seen under \-ray.
4. IS THERE A GREY AREA WITH WIRES COMING FROI\,I TT?
Where wires are present. lhen I batter-v will be conneeted to them somewhere. Any paeket eontaining I battery
ineluding paekets eontaining transistor radio" o. rrarfirijr.tii.-s"i-t".i"s take several
:!::t^d*.:?ls^r.ti.e1su:elcior.rs.
torms but all show tp urder X-ray as one or more dises greater than limm diameter - -'
oriectangtes ;;;r;
or may not contain dark bands' lf wires are eonneeted to them they are suspect, teading
to inl", cr,eer.,
5. TS THERE AT LEAST ONE BATTERY WITH WIRES CONNECTED TO IT?

As a safety measure' some deviees have employed a clockwork.timirg mecianism

in the form of a wateh, modified
by eonnecting wires to it to aet as I seeond switeh in an eleetrie eire"uit. So a final
oh"ok-;;i; 1",

100
6. IS THERE A WATCH PRESENT WITH WIRES CONNECTED TO IT?

above ehecks are applied to a packet without a pcitive result there could still be a doubt, for example
Even if all the
a mateh/glasspaper initiation system whieh would not be seen'
TO AN EXPERT'
ANY PACNAGE ABOUT WHICH ANY SUSPICTON STTLL REMAINS SHOULD ALWAYS BE SHOWN

GOil4EXT

of devices whieh have been

tn this report an attempt has been made to show the basie meehanism of a seleetion systems are used, and
used. tt is important to emphasize that each Oeviee is rnigue even when similar initiatirry
gNLI uy traineo erptoeive disggaJ-te-chnieians. THIS REPORT IS TNTENDED
neutralization must be oN rHE
"ii"-"tpt"a
ro HELp rN REcocNriiirC'ilp-oiffiffo;-n is noi AND Mlisr Nor BE usED As AN AUTHoRITY
METHoD oF FuNcrroNix-c or ANy IED {ecocTmo uslNc x-ffirf DErEcrIoN
METHODS.

b.rbrbt lqiltion
fvica Cafaltt I hltblldr cl r-nv Cltcuirl
n.dd 16rl
I .'n.0 -ltloF a.clrnbl' Ffft r.tt.r}lt.t rl'lf, dll!' A.(il.d .plrlv. to tt!| rlt
oF- ml.cl'- Dbcitt o0r aiuLry to L
lcorllad.S ibr
*tair reltt -L al:l toi llrit r{y -ll tn.br
I Ulnr olt .tlntoF ne.haniol, F|ll gaFtrl( fd ltaartalrl!)
lDltoec('€nt I, l, a (dr of
,ll0r200r12 f?icdo srdnfi gutt rh ldctto lttitc' du6lnn a.itai, bt crn
rE Dcirt snGil
&l tPbin eelvl

Itltt b.om .nElo9t tr.G

aLctric, m9mdr ?.If ooal.d titdr' otcr r. I, I
3
ttol'SrlS Fb.!' lngrcvH oi, art -u rrl.ry (tt Dn di..)'
lrrjr(llolttllf
st Llttll ol ad

a cRDard bor *aP9.d pFre

aLelria, lr Ltlltr tnd, O.l a.l Elt b.tr*f I Itc6rtir?y Dir r, t, t. t,6
ln b{gm FDct nlaar, niffitltdr ;idrltch. 9oit.t t.t6, 3|l./chlmt. dD[ Ery t intl:
l0trll0r?3 CLt.d .milr nlrr 3rLlin a.Flla sr.inlf Utite? Ouid

b?o?n mniL mvclopc al,G|?lc, lnullt* lDllor.dst FD.ibacf bot ( la0rtlotto)' rluninum loil! I, l. a, 5
5
l00rllSrl I Fnovrl, crt{/loll oFc? abc. 3itfl" eU fLt batlsry' @n- cmt ba hn
maEl.l .pblv., foll st clr

brcrt n.niL avllop. clet?ic, irullitr aluniiln cba, tlrl lilfL cll lattctyi rlunlnufr loils !. 2. 3, 5
6
t00r250r12 Enovrl. crtd/loll rlumlrun totl' .tld oil ot &tdrirt od emt ba En
Mt.d 6 riitc c?d (2t5r200)i nll
cla&r a! irullls; ollir totl o iriC ol
fivalooa

1 brctn Drnih cnYclopc alcctric. irulats tEllored{t FF?b.ek bot (ttsttlottl)' alunirun foilr l, 2, t, a, 5
nmnl, dt{/foil, duniun tF, nrt tittrL cU b.ltrY' clml ba en
l95rl35rll
dablrcd a?nitt nbtulci, omncrcill cPbin, loil
st.et!

I alet?ic. i[ubtor otp€? canrn fblttqlb b.ll6t on' iaulttd rnd r,3.4,5
whitc !illiry
2t5r2l5r I I
er?d bor
Em!I, "c" tritch rDlairc. "e" llrg.d pbatic 'tlth
n.iei.l "Dcr thcad onmt b.
bita srer, rll d[d ro btlon ot boli FN
gtartlc irulrlc batrcn mtaclt od tttrch"d
b bor lid rlllr a $Ed

I ltsrllor3l ?.eker clcctfac. irul.ls lpllorcd-out b6L ( ttorltlr2a, strinirt rul.tor vc.y l.int l. !. a, s
srgprd in DFwn nmovrl, ebtha!- o0Fr .bc, tn[irta ?adlo ittcryr pbltic
pa9€r pin .pl6i[, cbllupin rith Orrlrf pir in
iruLle batrq ,.[ artrched
J.$, pl$ticpotclirc
bry sd to lor lblditt b6t

l0 rhit? dveloe. rlcuict d.!r-wtrl lDlbrcd{t bot (taorl?ort?} mt inirt l 2. 3. a, 3

320r225t2t tro sirc duniilm nh qrcrtcd to clFt?lc oF rti6

by sitt r bFla ta(i bllb to Frie tritioo,
t?aNirtor ..dio b.ttcry, b.rcd rin loF, rirr
5.ddl"" in b@k awr rlth m rin l€p tlroqn
it

101
 DEVICE N0i t: MECHANICAL, PRESSURE RELEASE

DEVICE N0, 3: ELECTRIC/ PRESSURE RELEASE, HOME t"1ADE

102
 i::r*{d}
.;>,-!6d1..
FF-:;

a-

-
tu

DEVICE NO. 4: ELECTRIC, PRESSURE RELEASEJ MICROSWITCH' DELAYED ARFTINC

DEVlCE NO,5: ELECTRIC, ]NSULATOR REI"IOVAL, CARD/FOlL

103
 DEVICE NO, 5: ELECTRIC, INSULATOR REMOVALT CARD/FOtL

rt
':' G.
5

:::l=*:i:g:!::-i-if ::::::-;:--::-*:

,a
'. .':

DEV]CE NO, 7: ELECTRIC, INSULATOR REMOVAL, CARD/FOIL, DELAYED ARMING

104
*

,ttf Erb
{t

ii.

,,i\
.:

.l
d,
'il!

rili

It
i*
1l

,*
,li

"c,
h
l*l

ii$
DEvIcE N0. 8i ELECTRIc, lNsuLAToR REHoVAL, "C" sxtTCH
,iri

'*s
plN
DEVICE NO. 9: ELECTRIC/ 1r,{SULAToR REr'lovAL, CLoTHES

Rr
E:
1:

&
i: '1:.rl
Fi*
t_*.
3

DEVICE No, 1o; ELECTRIC, DRAt',/ V/lRE/ Th',O wiRE

105
 PACKAGE BOMB
RECEIVED BY U,S. EMBASSY

PICTTGE BOTTs RECEIYED IY U.8. ETIBISSY

Scrrca: Uritart Stat6 oat.ilrnant at Stalt.

The reedpt of a postd bomb by an Ameriean Embassy in Europe was reeenOy regorted to the FBI Bomb Data
Center (BDC). fire improvised explosive deviee (IED), which eontained an ineendiary mixture, was enelosed in
a box and wrapped for mailing. lt
partially opened before its lethd eharaeter was $speeted. Ttris incident,
was
including some of the disassembly procedrres undertd<en by U. $ Military personnel, is described in this bulletin.

The parrel was pieked up from e eentrel post offiee in a European city on December 2?, by an Ameriean
Embassy employee. The box was addressed to the Embassy rather than to a specifie individual, and printing on
the wrapping indicated that it eontained a free sample. The employee began to open the box at the time of re-
eeipt but zubseguen0y brought it baek to the Embassy, where it was undisturbed until a seeond employee began
to unwrap it. This individual, having obsered a wire and battery within the gancd, beeame zuspieious and re
sealed the box. He turned it, as well as. the previously removed outer wrappings, over to seerrity personnel. The
item was X-rayed End determined to be a possDle lED.
fI
tf
ti

ii
The Deviee

The IED was enclosed in a gray carOoard box measuring 3 inehes by 4 inches by 3/4 ineh, and wrapped in Christmas
wrapping paper. The box eonsisted of two five slled portions, one of whieh fit within the siJes of the other. The
lid was taped with electrieians tape to the bottom on all four sirles. Components of the IED ineluded a battery,
i
ii I wire eontaet switch, and r packet eontaining the ineendary substance as well as a flashbulb initiator and a
ii bullet. The material in which these latter two items were embedded appeared to have been a zugar/chlorate
li
ti
i.i
mixture or simihr eompound The battery was situated at one end of the box; the paeket at the other; and the
eontaet wires in the eenter. One battery terminal was fastened, by means of a battery clip, to a filament of
the flashbulb; the other, to one part of the contact switeh. A seeond filement wire provided the other eontact
point. See Figwe 1, Schematie. The pr.npose of the eartridge within the packet isunspeeified.

106
 tlsuiE l:sCHtilATlo ollciril 0t IED

The contaet switch appears to have been construeted from heavy wires twisted tqether. One portion of it' the
line from the flashbglb, was fastened to the bottom of the box and positioned perpendieular to this surface. Tte
line from the bottery was threaded through the lid of the box and affixed to a eard holder on the exterior of the
ear&oard Removal of the lid, or manipulation of the eard and holder, would permit eontact and the eompletion
of a eircuit through the flashbulb. Its aetivation would, in turn, igrrite the incendaty substancs

The srspieiors parcel was X-rayed prior to the notification of bomb disposal personnel. See Figure 2.
The teehnicians, having examined the item with X-rey eguipment, implemented the following procedr.res. Tlre
disassembly proeess tod placein an Embassy parting lot, whieh hadbeen clearedandseeured.

lo7
 ,,*
$f,,
:.i-{; r'
a;

4 -l

f
/1

t
t
\"

I.RAY OF
FIGURE 2: X.BAY OF IEO FiOM YIII TOP

The parcel was taped to a tod box on the bomb disposal vehiele.in order to immobiiize it during entry.
The position of the battery was clear from the X-ray, and a small aecess port was eut in the box adjacent
to its terminals. Through this aperture, the battery terminal etip was removed from the eell.
- The parcel was then prepared for rernote opening by removing the tape used to immobilize it. A
loop of
filament tape was affixed to the lid. A seeond loop was plaeed on the tool box and the parcel inserted into
it. This would seeue the bottom of the box to the vehicle while the lid was being remotely removed.
- A lanyard was attaehed to the loop on the lid; threeded over a ladder mounted on an overhead rack of
the
vehicle; and passed down the other siJe of the vehiele. This method affords the eombined proteetion
of
distance and the vehicle between IED and teehnieian.
- AU tapes secuing the lid and bottom of the pareel to one another were then severed and
an attempt was
made to remove the lid by pulling the lanyard It was unsueeessful due to the obligue angle pull.
of
- The IED was then r@ositioned direetly below the ladder in order to permit a direet vertical pgll. The next
sttempt to rernove the lid by means of the lanyard was also unsccessful.
- subsequently, the aceidental detonation of the IED resulted in one injury.

This disassembly proeedr.re has been detailed in this bulletin in order to re-emphasize
the hazards and uncertain-
ties of these activities, even when undertaken with caution and expertise.

COMMEXT

A note found within this IED ineluded various antFAmeriean slogans and phrases attesting to the national
sover
eignty of the European eountry involved A logo and the name of a quasFrevolutionary organization appeared
on its reverse.

108
PHOTOELECTRIC FUZING IN
IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES

1. Claerification: Rstrictcd Tcchnicd Data.

2. Subjcct: Photoclcctric Fuziag in &nprovird Erplorivc Dcviccr
3. Souncc: l. Forefun.
b. Phrtinny Ancorl DoYcr, Nw Jcrrey.
4. BacLground: The discovery of improvised explosive devices (IED) with photo-
electric (light sensitive) fuzing systems has been reported to the NBDC by a Euro-
pean country.

The purpoee of this bulletin is to explain the basic eoncept of photoelectric fuzing,
to describe'the major components found in the recovered IED, and to alert NBDC
participants to a number of commercially available components which might be en-
countered in similar devices.

TECHNICAL INFOR}TATION
Gcncrel
Improvised explosive devices vary inevitably in some detsils; however, the basie
design of any light actuated IED will include an explosive charge, one or more
electric initiators (blasting caps, squibg, ete.), a power source, and a photoelectric
circuit.

The photoelectric circuit, which constitutes the fuzing system, will contain
a photoelectric componeut, an amplifier, and one or more switches mounted on fiber-
board or a similar rigid material.

Cornrncrcially Availablc Conponentr

Although light qensitive fuzing systems are generally more complex than the
fuzing usuall.v encountered in IED, they can be constructed by a knowledgeable
amateur from the commercially available components described below.

r Pbotoclcctric CornponcDtr
Either a photocell, a photodiode, a phototransistor or a photovoltaic cell may be
used as the photoelectric component in the fuzing system.

109
 The photocell (or photoconduetive device) is a resistor which has its resistance
decreased when exposed to light. A typical photocell is illustrated in figure 1,
which shows a mock-up of a light sensitive fuzing system constructed by the NBDC.
The transparent window in the photocell case is typical of a photoeleetric device,
which must have a transparent case or window to admit light.
Although smaller and different in internal construction, photodioder are similar
to and may be used in lieu of photocells. Phototranrbtorr, which are eomparable in
size and weight to photodiodes, differ primarily in their sensitivity to light, which
is at least ten times that of a photodiode or photocell.
The photovoltaic cell, another type of photoelectric device, generates an electric
current when exposed to light. This current, when amplified, can be used to
operate a switch and, ultimately, to detonate an electrie blasting eap. This type of
cell is also known as a tolu cell.

PHOTOCELL TRA ISTOR

Figure 1. Mock-up of Photoelectric Fuze

e Anplificrr
An amplifier serves either to increase the very low voltage generated by the
photovoltaic cell, or to detect the change in resistance of a photocell, photodiode,
or phototransistor in order to trigger the switching device.
A direct eoupled (DC) arnplifier is used with photoconductive devices more often
than a rerirtor.capacitor (RC) emplifier because the DC amplifier is more compact
and contains few, if any, capacitors. The amplifier may be a combination of in-
dividual components (such as rheostats and variable resistors) or an integrated circuit.
o Switcher
A relay, a switehing trenrirtor, or a thyrirtor (a solid state relay) may be used as
the switch in a photoelectric device. A transistor was used in the fuzing system
shown in figure l.

110
Dc*ription
The IED described below were in various gtages of construction when they were
recovered. In some ca8es, only the drawings and diagrams of the electrical circuitry
were recovered rather than the actual components, and these were used when
necessary as the basis of the descriptive material.
o IED No. I
Although this IED was not fully assembled when it was discovered, a copy of
the electrical circuit recovered with the fuzing system indicates that a photocell was
to have been one of the major components.
In addition to the photocell, the fuzing system consisted of two transistors (TR 1
end TR 2), two rheostats,'and s relay. The powersource was a 9 voltbattery.
As shown in figure 2, a connective wire leading from the fuzing system was attsched
to the positive battery terminal. One of the blasting cap leads was attached to the
negative battery terminal, and the second blasting cap lead was connected with the
relay. The photocell was to have been attached to the leads marked "sensor." All
of the wiring connections were soldered.
This type of fuzing system functions as follows: on exposure to light, the photo-
cell's resistance decre&ses, causing transistor TR 2 to conduct. 'When the eurrent
from the battery flowing through TR 2 reaches a sufficient level, the relay is acti-
vated and its contacts close. This completes the cireuit to fire the detonators. The
two rheostats were incorporated in the circuit to adjust the sensitivity. The function of
transistor TR t has not been determined.
In this particular IED, the explosive charge was supposed to have been primed
with two electric 1/2 second delay blasting caps and a booster made of detonating
cord.

LcAend:
K - Kilohms
RL - Reloy
TR - Tronsistor
+

: irr

) TRI
SENSOR
\
TO
l
l./ TR2 BLASTING CAP

170 K
)
>470 K
)

Figure 2. Schematic Diagram of Light Sensitive Device - IED No' I

111
 o IED No. 2
This IED (figure 3) consisted of an 11 pound explosive charge, two 2 second
delay electric Utasiing caps, and a photoeiectric fuzing system with a delayed arm-
ing timer. Two g uolt batteries served as the power supply. See figure 4'

The fuzing system (figure 5) was contained in a wooden box

6 inches long by
3 inches wide by t 7/4 inches deep. The box was red), covered with a crudely cut
a test bulb' and a vari-
white plastic lid. Three switches (two black and one
able resistor were all visible through holes in the lid' At
least one of the screws
paint' The device was designed to ac-
securing the switches 1a'as marked with red of the
sensitivity
commodate a photoeell. In use, the bomber would set the
desired
photocell by obserrjing the test bulb and adiusting the variable resistor'
The device
with the ex'
would be tested and the power source disconnected prior to assembly circuit unless
plosive charge. After assembly, it would not be safe to arm the firing
been intro-
the bomber were working in ihe dark or a delayed arming deviee had

'ArTE19

A*199ve <dAFe
\
\
I
\
l

i
ii!

t:

.r{r'
qJ
]"F"-"43 l.-

LIGHT
DELAYED ARMING SENSITIVE BIASTING CAP
TIMER DEVICE

I
TTERI

I MAIN
I
CHARGE
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I'
I I

Figure 4. Schematic Diagram - IED No' 2

1,12
 TOP REMOVED ASSEMBLED

Figure 5. Fuzing Syatem - IED No. 2

duced into the circuit. Testing and assembly of the delayed arming IED by the
bomber would be accomplished in the following order:
o Close switches 2 and 3. Bulb should light.
r Open switches 2 and 3. Disconnect po$'er source.
r Connect power source to delayed arming device which, in turn, is eonnected
to light sensitive device.
. Connect detonator to light sensitive device and insert into main charge.
o Set delayed arming device, thereby breaking the circuit.
o Close switehes 1 and 3; switch 2 is optioual.
When the timer completes its cycle, it connects the batteries with the fuzing system
and the IED is armed. Subsequently, when the photocell is exposed to light' its
resistance decreases and the positive voltage on the gate* of the silicon controlled
rectifier (SCR) increases. The SCR then switches from OFF to ON, supplying elec-
tric power to the blasting cap. See fiSure 6.
Like IED No. 1, the rheostat adjusts the sensitivity of the fuzing system. If the
sensitivity (or resistance) is decreased too much, the SCR will switch and the deto-
nator will fire even if the photocell is not exposed to light.

113

ir
 l,o BIISTING
CAPS

Figure 6. Schematic Diagram of Light sensitive Device - IED No. 2

t The gate, as used in this sTB, is. defined as an internal switch.

Training Aidr
Both of the photoelectrie devices described below were constructed to operate
a bulb onh, with no provision for a detonator. For this reason' they are believed
to have been training aids or prototypes of fuzing systems for the purpose of experi-
mentation. Replaceient of ttie UuiUl with detonators would convert both of the
devices to operationally functional initiators. The fact that neither device incorpor'
ated a delayed feature (without whieh it would have to be armed in the
dark) is further"rrning
indication that they were used as training aids only'

TrainingaidNo.l(figure?)islesssophisticatedindesignthantrainingaidNo.
Z. Its circuitry, shown in figure 8, is desi8ned to function as follows: on exposure
to light, the p-hotoelectric component's resistance decreases, causing the trensistor
io ,*it.r, from oFF to oN. ihi. p"tmits current to flow from the batteries through
the transistor to the test bulb. If the device is operable the test bulb will light or'
in an actual IED equipped with a detonator instead of a test bulb, the detonator
will fire.

tt4
,l[

ii'

{!

Figure ?. Training Aid No. I

!t
Legend:
TR - Tronsistor
K - Kilohms
4
pF - Picoforod

Figure 8. Schematic Diagram - Training Aid No. I

The more compliceted circuitry in training aid No. 2, shown in figure 9, is de'
signed to function as follows: on exposure to light, the photocell's resistance de'
creases. This causes TR 1 and TR 2 to switch from OFF to ON, in turn, permitting
current to flow through the 2.?k resistor and a positive volt&8e to appear on the
gate of the SCB. The SCB then switches from OFF to ON, connecting the bulb
with the battery and firing the bulb.

115
 Lrgcnd:
TR - Ttnnsistor
SCR - Silicon coitroll.d
rrctifier
K - Kilohms
^ - Ohms

Figure 9. Schematic Diagram - Training Aid No' 2

COMMENT

The eomponents required to construct a photoelectric fuzing system are readily

obtainable from many electronic supply stores. Bomb technicians should be aler{
to the possibility of encountering IED with this type of fuzing.
Photoelictric circuits can be made even more hazardous than the ones described
in this bulletin by combining thc photoelectric circuit with a collapsing relsy or
timer circuit and adding trembler swibhes or other antidisturbance devices. A
photoelectric circuit can also be arranged to operate when the light is cut off.

One of the difficulties involved in detecting photoelectric fuzing systems is the

fact that they are usually smaller than more conventional fuzes (certain combina'
tions of components, for example, may occupy only a cubic inch of spaee). They
ean be identified, however, by the transparent window or cssing of the photoelectric
component.

116
POWDER AND LOW.EXPLOSIVE
BOMBS IN CANS OR TUBES

BOMB DEVICES CONTAINING POWDER AND LOIV EXPLOSIVES AI{D UTILIZING CANS OR TUBES

SOURCE: Federal Eureau of lnvestigation, Laboratory Division.

lletropolitan Police Department. Washington, D.C.
U.S. Army, Fort Devens, Massachusetts.

Several bombing incidents, allied in their use of improvised explosive deviees (IED)
eontaining powders or low explosives and including tubes or cans among the components,
have reeently been reported to the FBI Bomb Data Center (BDC). One of the eases, all
of whieh oecumed in and took plaee in a South American nation; the others,
in the eastern United States. They are re@unted in this bulletin in chronologieal order.
Pipe Bomb Conaining Black Powder

This IED was described as follows: the main eharge of blaek powder was enelosecl in a
length of PVC pipe. An initiator was plaeed in the center of this pipe. This initiator
corsisted of a length of smaller PVC pipe eontaining the following eomponents in this
order: cork, plastie bag of aeid, hollowed length of eandle, copper plug, match heads,
and eotton. See Figure l.

The initiator was designed to funetion, after a predetermined delay eaused by a

ehemieal aetion. The aeid, having eaten through the plastie and copper plug, would
eome into eontaet with and ignite the mateh heads. This flame, amplified by the
paraffin and cotton, would explode the pipe eontaining the tightly eonfined powder.
The report of this pipe bomb did not include any information eoneerning the
eireumstanees of its use. However, the detailed deseription of the IED whieh was
tendered indieates thal it was reeovered prior to detonation.

Aerosol Can Bomb Recovery

A foreign embassy in Washington, D.C. was the target of an attempted bombing during a
spring night in An embassv employee diseovered a mysterious paekage near the
building's front entranee. The IED eontained in this pareel was subsequently
disassembled by poliee and military disposal units. Components of the item were
examined by personnel of the FBI Laboratory Division.

The IED eonsisted of a 25 ounee aerosol ean; a 6 volt battery; a eigarette lighter for an
automobile; eonneetive wiring; and a main charge of sodium chlorate, silieon dioxide,
t17
and ealeium earbonate. Colorless glass fibers were loeated in the filler material as
improvised shrapnel. This material ias inserted through a hole.eut in the bottom of the
auiosot after filling, the removed portion of the ean was then replaeed and sealed
"an.
with solder.
The cigarette lighting apparatus was also inserted into the filler area and eonneeted
with wire to the bottom of the ean. One wire was affixed in plaee with sealant. See
unit was
figure e. Through n""rUV hole in the metal, a seeond wire from the heatingthe
"
attaehed to a terminal of lne battery. The oiher terminal was eonneeted to metal
lid of the ean; uniniufated portion of wire eneireling it. These-eonneetions p-rovide a
eireuit utilizing"nthe metal eanas a-eonneetive eompo&nt. Shortly after eompletionof
this eireuit, tf,e eonfined substanee would explod-e from the heat generated by the
fghting unit. After reeovery, tes{s were made on the IED and it was
"ig"r"Ct"
determined that ifris ignition proeess would take approximately ?5 seeonds.

CORK
PLASTIC BAG

ACrO
IIOLLOWED CANDLE

COPPER PLUG

HATCH HEADS

COTTON
POLYVIT{YL
CHLORIDE
TUBING

PIPE

BLACK POIYDER

END CAP

FIGURE I

118
 CIGARETTE
LIGHTER

SEALER

6 VOLT
BATTERY

FIGURE 2: AEROSOL CAN BOtlB

The investigative personnel involved in this ineident have noted that the wiring used in
eonstructing the IED was taped in various plaees. The torn edges of this tape are
suitable for eomparisons, should a suspeet roll of tape be eneountered.
Postal Bomb Containing Smokeless Powder

During late an IED eontaining smokeless powder was mailed to the intended vietim
at his Washington, D.C. plaee of business. He beeame suspicious beeause the paekage
was labeled with a type of marker previously used on threatening letters reeeived by
him. The bomb device situated in this box did not explode, and was disassembled by
publie safety personnel.

119
The IED, whieh eontained three separate units, eonsisted of a large manila envelope, a
tampon box, three books of matehes, three test tubes, three pieegs of string' three
eardboard wedgps, and 4.3 grams of smokeless powder. Three individual apparatus rvere
eonstructed, uiing the test tubes as eontainers, and inserted into the tampon tlox and
manila envelope.- Eaeh tube was half-filled with powder and held in plaee with a
eardboard wedge. See Figure 3. The wedge also served to retain one end of a pieee of
string in positi,on within fhe powder. Eaeh length of string was, in turn, attaehed to a
matei Uobt< in the vieinity of the striker strip. Two matehes were pulled from behind
each mateh book eover and taped aeross the striker. The matehes of each paek were
then apparently taped to the inside of the end flap of the tampon box. The deviees
appear to nave Oeeir intended to funetion when this flap was drawn out, thus eausing the
rat"her to pull aeross the strikers; igniting them and, subsequently, the strings. These
improvised wicks would carry the fire to the powder, eausing its detonation.

Investigators report that this ineident is related to one whieh oeeurred almost two years
earlier, in whieh a Washington, D.C. office reeeived a hoax IED.
Sprat Can Bomb Recovery at Hotel

Approximately three weeks after the recovery of the tampon box bomb, a maid in a
Washington, D.C. hotel diseovered an IED, whieh had been seereted in a laundry ehute
eloset. The device, which was dismantled in plaee by publie safety teehnieians' was
construeted within an aerosol ean and was very similar to that whieh was reeovered at
the embassy.

The IED eonsisted of a 25 ounce aerosol ean; two 6 volt lantern batteries; a small wind-
up alarm elock; wire; a eigarette Iighting element from a vehicle; and an explosive
mixture. It was eonstrueted in the following manner. The two batteries, eaeh having
serew terminals, were taped together end to end with masking and eleetrieal tapes.
One battery terminal from this unit was conneeted to the wind up key on the baek of
the eloek. The erystal and minute hand had been removed from the eloek, and a nail
taped to its faee at the 12:00 orelock position. (The minute hand was diseovered on the
floor near the IED.) At the time of diseovery, the hour hand was between the 9:00
oreloek and 10:00 o'eloek positions. A wire from the nail was inserted through the
bottom of the aerosol ean, to be attaehed to the lighting unit situated outside. Another
pieee of wire ran from the heating element to the bottom of the ean, where it was
soldered in plaee. A wire eonneeted the base of the ean and a seeond battery,terminal.
A wire eonneeted the batteries. The base of the aerosol ean had been cut off and then
soldered back in plaee. The eloek was fastened with masking tape to the top of the
battery unit, with the ean being affixed to the back of this unit. There was no attempt
made to eonceal the nature of the weapon.
An explosive filler eonsisting of granulated solidox pellets and a flammable liquid; plus
improvised shrapnel sueh as nails, brads, and BB pellets, was eontained in the aerosol
can. It was intended to detonate after eompletion of the eireuit through the elock.
Heat generated by the lighter would eause initiation of the mixture.

Two days later, another aerosol ean bomb was loeated in a laundry room of the same
hotel. lt was enelosed in a pillow ease and had partially detonated. It was similar in
eonstruetion and materials to both the previously recovered IED. When found, the
deviee was charred and the top of the ean and the cigarette lighter were missing. As in
the previous ineident, no prior threats were reeeived.

120
 BOOK T{ATCHES

STRING

-
TUBE

-TEST
CARDBOARD
WEDGE

SHOKELESS
POWDER

FIGURE 3: INITIATING UNITS FOR POSTAL BOI'IB

Black Powder lnitiated Bomb Found at Police Station

Military explosive ordnanee disposal (EOD) personnel were summoned to eomplete the
disassembly of an IED loeated during a February' ineident. After dismantling,
eomponents of the improvised Claymore mine-type IED were returned to the law
enforeement personnel.

t2l
The device, eonstnreted in a shoe polish ean and a plastie box, included two improvised
initiators. Each initiator eonsisied of a quantity of blaek powder and an eleetrie
ut"rting eap, and was contained in a tube improvised from half a blasting eap shipping
pacxagi. Tne ends of eaeh apparatus were sealed with a eoin and a portion of ehewing
gum; ihe units were wrapped in eleetrical tape. See Figure 4.

GUH SEALANT

BLASTING CAP

FIGURE {: INITIATOR FOR POLICE STATION BOl'lB

The two initiators were wrapped in a shoe polishing eloth and enelosed in the polish cant
which had a metal bottom inC a plastie top. A plastie box eontaining .22 caliber-long
rifle shells was affixed to the polish tin with frietion tape. It eontained a total of 100
shells of different brands and eomprised the main charge of the IED. See Figure 5.

.+
i-
'E

FIGURE 5: COMPONENTS OF POLICE STATION BOMB

The IED, whieh was taken to a safe area and eompletely disassemble.d, was intended to
funetion as an improvised Claymore mine. No threat was reeeived prior to its reeovery.
At least one suspeet has been ldentified in eonneetion with this erime.

122
SAN JUAN AUTOMOBILE BOMBING

l. C Srsrilicrlion: RGsrriGtrd Tachdacll 0rta.

2. Sr!i.cl: 3.i &.n lnc0.bll. B.dr1fu.

3. Silcr: Polaor at PIatta Rlco.

l. l.cttncrd: Although Puerto Rican independence is often used 8s e eause by militant groupd for carrying _ -
out bombings and other terrorist aetions in the United States, bombing ineidents oeeurrlng in Puerto Rieo itself
seldom reeiive news media coverage outside that island. The incident in this bulletin is highly significant and
warrants publieation beeause two bomb teehnieians were seriously injwed while handling an improvised explosive
deviee (tED) attaehed to the underside of a ear.

0l?rrLs

Oetober 22, 9:30 a.m.: Puerto Riean authorities reeeived a telephone eall from an individual who indicated
that a possible IED was fastened to the underearriage of his car. He stated that while walking toward his ear,
he had notieed I string extending from the bottom of the ear to the ground. His srlspieions had b€en further aroused
whm he stooped down for a eloser look and saw a paekage atteehed to the vehiele just beneath the driver's seat.
Two agents from the explosives and ineendiary seetion were immediately dispatehed to investigate the call.

The automobile, a late model Thunderbird, was loeated in an isolated parking lot a eonsiderable distance from
the nearest structures (two apartment buildings). Upon their arrival, the agents approaehed the target vehicle
and made a visual inspeetion whieh verified the information related by the vietim. Onee they had determined
that the suspect paekage fastened to the bottom of the vehicle was probably an explosive deviee, the offieers
requested that an explosives van respond to the seene. They then attempted to neutralize the IED' so that when
the van arrived, the bomb eould be removed to a safe location. During this process, the deviee detoneted end
severely injured the agents. The intended victim was also injuried, but less seriously. The vehiele was destroyed
in the explosion and subseguent fire. See Figures 1 and 2.

One offieer lost both hands above the wrist and the hearing in one ear; and suffered substantial loss of sight in
one eye. The other lost his right arm above the elbow, his left hand, one eye and possibly the other, and I substantial
amount of hearing in both eats. Both men were burned on their ehests and faees. The intended vietim was burned
on one leg, and was struek in the ehest and faee by fragments.

r23
 FIGURE l: VIEW 0F CAR folLowlxc €IPtoslox

-a, -,

+
:l:

T
a

FIGURE 2: Ut(0ERSIDE 0F YEtIICLE SH0wltlG t0CATl0lt 0F BoMB

TECHI{ ICA L IT FORMATIOII

In sorne respects it almost seems as though eircumstanees sunounding this ineident eonspired to deprive authorities
of any evidenee. Follorving the detonation of a powerful explosive, the proeess of extraeting evidence from the
debris is diffieult at best. In this ease. however, diffieulties eneountered in the investigation of the explosion
were compounded bv two additional oeeurrenees-a fire, and subsequent eflorts to extinguish it. As a result, no
traees of the explosive eharge were found.

t24
 TRAXSPAREXT TAP€

SATTEqY
DETOT{ATII{G CORD

t'IAGiETS

FUZ€

BtASTIilG CAP

Ftsr{tilc LtrE

SAFETY SilITCIt
. .. , i. :,':.,

FICURE 3: ARTISTTS COTCEPTIOX OF EIPLOSIYE DEYIOE.

One of the injured agents was able to deseribe what he had seen of the IED before it detonated. The exaet appearance
of the eontainer, or for that matter, the determination whether there aetually was a eontainer has not been aseertained
with eertainty. Therefore, the cylindrieal objeet in Figure 3 is strictly a representation used to provide a general
idea of the IED's overall dimensions and to give the viewer an indieation of where the various eomponents were
loeated. Measuring approximately 2 inehes by l0 inehes, the deviee was wrapped in paper tape. Ir{agnets were
used to anehor it to the bottom of the ear, and the fuzing system wes apparently intended to funetion by either
pressure release or I push/pull action. Once the car was in motion, the weights attached to the fishing line may
have been intended to bounce or drag along the surface of the road, eausing the deviee to funetion. Although
the exact cause of detonation has not been determined, it is possible that the fishing line attaehed to the fuze
meehanism was tugged during the teehnieians'attempts to neutralize the bomb.

coMMEtt
Both bomb technieians had attended numerous seminars on explosives sponsored by the International Assoeiation
of Chiefs of Poliee, the U.S. Army and Navy, the Seeret Serviee, and the Poliee of Puerto Rico. In addition, one
of the offieers had reeeived explosives training at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

During two bomb teehnieians were killed, with six being seriously and permanentiy injured. Regardless of
early eonelusions as to the reason for sueh tragedies, it must be remembered that for everv terrorist or eriminal
mentality there may be a different type of explosive deviee eneountered. There is no way to determine an absolutely
safe procedure for disarming a partieular explosive deviee; no way to know exactly what type of booby trap mat'
have been ineorporated into the design; no way to tell when a delay meehanism may eause the IED to funetion.
This underscores the neeessity for every bomb teehnieian to maintain a high level of profieienev and to take into
aeeount the wide range of possible deviees whenever he is ealled upon to deai with a suspect item.

t25
SHORT.DURATION TIMER

Sll0RT DUntTl0t Tll'lER

sa|lrcc: fcraii!.

The use of eloekwot* meehanism to regulate the detonation of an improvised explosive deviee (lED) is not un-
I
known in the annals of bomb eonstruction. lYatehes, alarm elocks, and tirprs provide a reliabler convenient means
of earsing an explosbn. Tte very effbieney of the typicsl timing arm and eontaet point eonfiguration, however,
s€ems to greclude experimentation with other refinement& The ineident deseribed in this bulletin involves a timer
to whieh an additional component has been added to the uual meehanism. During January two improvised
timers and bettery units were reeovered W foreign law enforcement personnel after 8 terrcrist ineident. E:<am-
ination of the items revealed that eeeh of the timers had been modfied to P€rmit an extremely short inter-aal
between the fhal arming and eompletion of any clrcuit to whieh lt was eonnecte{

Sloclrorl lhcltml3r ril'h ld

Each of the devices reeovered eonsisted of a 60 minute goeket alarm timer mounted on an improvised timer and
power unit box. A nail was attaehed to the movable dial as one contact; a fixed nail provided the second contact.
This standard eorstruetion was modified with the empl,aeeinent of a wooden dowel near the fixed eontaet post.
See Figure. Tte rc$ to whieh wss attaehed a loop for easier removal, was inserted in such a way that the moving
eontect would eome to test against it before eompleting the eontaat. Upon removal of the dowel, therefore, the
tinrer dial would continue revolving for the short distanee neeessary to effeet contaet and eomplete the cireuit.
When these items were teste4 it was determined that a time lapse of approximately two minutes ensued between
removal of the <loweling and eontact.

The originating ageney has offered the following eomments eoncerning the dangers of an item sueh as this if used
in an IED.

'The mueh reduced delay times resulting from the use of this new breed of timer will make the movement of
deviees by well-meaning but foolhardy persons risky.r'

'rlt is possible that some timers having been held for some time by the dowel rod may 'spring' forward when the
dowel is removed, earsing the eireuit to be eompleted immediately."

'With other timers, it is possible that once the action has been steped two minutes from the eompletion of its
unwinding, the mechanism may be too weak to start again, and the terro?ist is faeed with the task of shaking the
timer with the eontects alrea$r quite elose together.n

t26
?rshould atwo-minute timer fail to restart when the dowel is removed by the terrorist, there is a risk that $bsequent
(e.g. hook and line)'
disturbance of the device, either through handling or through the we of remote equipment
may eause the timer to restart, and to explode two minutes later, possibly as a unwary operetor or investigator
approaches.rr

FlGunE: Tli{gn lrl?X OoIVEL lr PoslTlor. lRnol{ lxDlClTEt PoslTlot OF DowEL

127
SOLID.STATE
TIMING DEVICE

l. Clegificrtioo: Rstrictcd Tcchnicrl Deta.

2* Subjcct: Solid Stetc Titnins Dcvicc.

3. Sourcc: Netioad BoEb Drtr Ccatcr (NBDC), Picetiany Arranl, l)ovcr, Ncw
Jcncy.

4. Backround: The Compuline Corporation of Norristown, Penusylvania, m8!u-

factures a small solid Etst€ timing device for use in the automotive sales and
service industry as a seryice reminder. Sold under the trade neme of Car-Comp,
the device (figure 1) is about half the size of a cigarette paekage and is used to
measure engine operating bours. It is available from mauy autonobile dealers
througbout tbe counFy.

Replaceable time cepsules in the device provide for operating cycles of 10 to

200 hours, as desired. All the time capsules are identical. The vsrious operating
cycles (time periods) are derived from minor component value differeuces incorpo-
rated into the circuit. When an operating cycle has been completed, a visual signal
indicates to tbe vehicle operator that a service interval has been reached.

Since this device is small, readily available, uses a DC power supply, and per-
forms a timing or measuring function, it could be used as a timer in an IED. Al-
though sueh use has not been reported to date, participants have expressed an
interest in this item. Consequently, the NBDC has evaluated it for its potential use
in IED and to determine appropriate countermeasures. The purpose of this bulletin is
to disseminate the information derived from that evaluation.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

The device is Aesignea to be placed in the automobile's electrical system by con-

necting its red lead to the fuse in the ignition circuit and its black lead to ground.
Thus connected, the unit will operate whenever the ignition switch is turned on.

Following is a generel deseription, taken largely from the manufacturer's literature,

of the operation of the Car-Comp device. Figure 2 shorrs the unit's printed
circuit bolrd, with the timing capsule installed, and with it removed. Figure 3
shows the component side of the printed circuit board' FiSure 4 shows a schematic
diagram of the device.

128
 Figure 1. Car-Comp Device

The Compuline timing capsule is an inexpensive, three contact electrochemical

cell wbich can be utilized in very simplified circuitry to measure long time periods,
and provide a "switch opening" at the end of a calibrated time period.
?he capsule or cell operates by the timing out (plating away) of a specifie volume
of metal at a controlled rate, and derives its accuracy from tbe ion transfer of
metal atoms that are being timed out. Plating current is supplied through a series
calibrating resistor (Bc, figure 4) to the outer shell of the capsule, which is the
cathode in the timing out operation. Two insulated leads, wbich are connected or
"shorted" by the piecision volume of metal, constitute the anode of the plating
circuit. These two leads, which are normally closed (as in I "switch"), will open
after the calibrated uumber of operating hours to provide a "switch opening."
Since the "preset charge" or volume of metal is identical on all capsules, the time
duration (6 to 6000 hours is technically possible) is determined by the value of cali-
brating resistor Bg, figure 4.

The unit is designed to operate over a temperature range of -40"F to *180oF and
to withstand themal shock between these two temperature extremes.

r29
 The "switch opening" effect (the plating away of the anode until it breaks the
electrical circuit) allows the capsule to control large amounts of current through
a single stage amplifier, and is of low enough impedance to be unaffected by
electrical "noise" (outside electrical interference) in hostile environments.

Figure 4 shows a basic, one transistor amplifier which incorporates the capsule
as a time-out (plating) and "memory" element. The single transistor amplifier
(Tr), is normally conducting by the application of input current through resistor
Rr. W'hen a nertr capsule is connected between the base of the transistor and the
emitter, the anode bar connects the base to the emitter while the capsule is in the
time-out period. The rate of current flow from the anode to the cathode shell of

H :
I
o
!: t
t
I

t
a
2
o

lt
D

{-

c
I
o
:I
!

Figure 2. Car-Comp Printed Circuit Board

130
 Figure 3. Component Side of Priated Circuit Bosrd

Rr\!- IOOOn/HR
R6 AT ls.g v
Rr [Tla Rl - 52On
,.-ANODE Tr - SrLrcoN PNq
' MIN HL= 40
z, - t8 TO 26V
liiDr
' zENER)l/4w
C2
I I
Y Dt - tN9t4B
CAT HOD E

CAPSULE
+ GND B - 14V, 80 MA
BULB

Figure 4. Schematic Diagram

the can is determined by the calibrating resistor (Bc) which, in an average 13.8-
volt automotive alternator circuit, is approximately 18.8 milliamperes of time-out
current.

The time.out or plating period may be intermittent. When the anode has been
sufficiently plated away to break continuity between leads Cr and Cs, the electri-
cal "short" between the base and emitter of the transistor is removed and the effective
resistance between the base and the emitter switches from zero to a minimum of
160 ohms. The gain of the transistor is chosen to be sufficiently high to provide the
desired eollector current through the load (bulb), with the selected input current'
which is supplied through resistor Rr.

131

A
 Tbe Zener diode (Zr) and series protective diode (Dr) are_desiSoed-to protect
the circuit from bigh'ooit"g. surges in tUe input current. The Zener diode bypasses
e:rbeneous high eiergy pulr.. wtrictr could destroy transistor Tr. The series
pro-
tective diode prevenlJ high energy pulses of opposite polarity from affectiDg the
circuit
Notcr Rcnoviag 6,1rc of tbc ceparlc lcedr fr.on tLc ciltlrit wbilc it
ie b operrtbn ft11 dnulrtc conplction of thc plrting Pno:.* Fd
allow thc trrnrirtor to rwitcb ttur providing cutlclrt to tbc tord (bulb)'
gtaudard time-
The circuits available for eutomotive application have tbe following
out settings:
10, 60, ?6, 100, 120, 160, 180, and 200 hours

In order to use tbis solid state timing device in an IED the only changet required
would be to substitute a suitable power supply for that nomally available in the
automobile,s electrical system, and incorporate an electrie blasting cap as the load
instead of the bulb.
EVALUATTON AND TEST

The NBDC performed several tests on the Car-Comp device to determine its ef-
fectiveneeE in an mp applicetion, and to evaluate a means of neutralization.

The obieetives of the tests were:

. To determine whether the device could be successfully adapted for use 8s a

timiug device for an IED fuzing system'
o To determine whether the application of cryogenic material to such a device
permit
would hslt or delay its operation sufficiently to disarming.

In order to determine the Car-Comp's potential as an IED timing device, its in-
dicator bulb was replaced with a flashbulb. The flashbulbs, which were used to
simulate electric blasting eaps, had electrical resistsnce values which varied from
0.?6 ohms to 1.16 ohms with an average of 0.98 ohms. A l2-volt dry battery was
used as the power sounce. Four tests were conducted in which fresh capsules were
inrt"n.a ani fresh flashbulbs connected as "deton&tors." In each instance, when
the ptating action of the capsule was completed the flashbulb functioned.

In addition, seversl tests were conducted in which a fresh capsule and fleshbulb
were placed in an operating Car-Comp circuit. \ilhen one of the leads of the capsule
was disconnected frim the-circuit, the action simulated tbe completion of the timing'
out operation and caused the flashbulb to functiou'

As a check, geveral tests were conducted using electric blasting cap bridge wires
in lieu of flashbulbs. When the timing-out operation was completed, or when a
capsule lead wgs removed from the circuit, the bridge wires flared'

In the evaluation of cryogenic efrects, four Car-Comp devices were prepared with
freeh capsules and flashbulbs as in previous tests. T_wo devices were suspended
above a bath of liquid nitrogen and expoged to the cold nitrogen gas; two were sub-
merged directly irr the liquid nitrogen. In these tests the flashbulb and battery were

132
remotely located and remained at room temperature. Current measurements were
made at two points on the device as follows: The plating eurrent was measured at
the cathode of the capsule (figure 4) ; the input current was measured at the posi-
tive terminal of the battery.

In the suspension tests, the plating current decreased from 1.3 milliamperes to 0.15
milliamperes after 10 minutes exposure. Continued exposure resulted in no further
decrease in plating current. Input current did not undergo a significant change and
the flashbulbs did not function.

In the submersion tests, the plating current immediately dropped from 1.3 milli-
amperes to approximately zero (below anymeasureablevalue). Theinputcurrent
decreased 25% bef.ore stabilizing. The flashbulbs did not function.

Upon completion of the cryogenic tests, the devices were allowed to warm up
to room temperature. After reaching room temperature, and upon recovery of the
input and plating currents, a capsule lead was disconnected from each device. In
each instance, when a capsule lead was disconnected, the transistor passed enough
current to the flashbulb to cause it to ignite. This is analogous to a collapsing cir-
cuit when a holding battery is disconnected from its relay.

coNcLUstoNs
o The Car-Comp device may be used ss e timinSl device in an IED fuzing sys-
tem by substituting a dry battery for the automotive ietnition circuit and an electric
blasting eap for the indicstor bulb.

o Uquid nitrogen can be used to slow or temporarily stop the plating action in the
capsule; however, normal plating action can be expected to resume if the device and
battery are allowed to warm up. The capsule should nGycr be disconnected from
the cireuit as a diserming procedure.

133
ilUT.OPERATED
DISGUISED DEVICE

TItT OPENIIEO DISGUISEO OEYICE

t.$ca: tcraigtr.

Followirg a robbery at a p6t offic'e braneh, an improvised explosive device (lED) was left behind blt the perpetrator.
After plaeirg the deviee on a shelf, the robber gave his vietims a three minute warnitg and fled from the seene.

Tte respondirg explcive ordnanee (EOD) teehnieian found the IED to be a eSrlindrieal-shaped paekage whieh had
been elerrated at one end by resting it on a box of tea bags. Protrudirg frum the elevated end of the calinder
was a length of burnt safety fuse whieh gave the initial impression that an unsrrceessful attempt had been made
to initiate the deviee. Onee disarmed, however, clcer examination of the paekage revealed thet it housed a tilt
operated, booby-trapped explGive deviee-the outer eontsiner had merely served as a deeoy.

The outer @ntainer nus a length of orangp-eolored plastic Aipe measurirg l2 inehes long by 5 inehes in diameter.
Near one end was a hole where the safety fuse oould be irserted. Blaek.plastie tape tud been wrapped around
the entire pipe.- Inside this larger pipe were the erelcive eharge and a smaller plastie pipe that eontained the
initiating system. See Figure !.

FIGURE I

134
 BURNT SAFETY FUSE

LARGE PLASTIC PtPE

OEVICE ARIIED

STALLER PLASTTC PTPE

ELASTItIG CAP

BAREO |IFE

FORIARD SIOP

--<F-

csnilG cAP

PLASNC PIPE

EURT{T SAFETY FUSE

ER PLASTIC PIPE

DEVICE DETONATEO

Dimensions of the inner pipe were 6 inches long b1' 1,6 inehes in diameter. Two holes-at diametrieally opposed
pcitions-had been madi rrbar one end to eorrespond with the single hole in the larger pipe. lnsi<ie this smaller
prevent the battery
iipe were an Eveready SP2 battery (the equivalent of a "D" eell battery). a forward stop toPaper
irbm sliding too far forward. and a bared length of eopper wire that served as a eontaet. waCding was used
to hold the smaller pipe in plaee at one end of the larger pipe.

Three to four pornds of eommereial explosives were plaeed at the other end of th€ outer pipe. The initistor was
a number six ileetrie blasting eap (ebc). One ebe leg wire was attaehed to the positive terminal of the battery;
the othe. was eonneeted to t-he copper wire running aeross the end of the inner pipe. The length of burnt safety
fuse was passed through the holes ln the t*'o pipes to prevent the battery and the bared eopper wire from making
eontaet pnematurely.

135
The tED was pcitioned on the box of tea bags so that the end with the safety fuse was elevated. To arm the ex-
plcive deviee, the safety fuse was partially withdrawn until it eleared the smaller pipe' while remaining inside.
ihu l".g"r pipe. lf the deviee was e-arelessiy or unwittingly tilted. into the opposite plane, the battery would slide
into eoitaet-with the bared wire, thus eompleting the IED's eireuit'
COMMEXT

The simplieity of this explosive deviee is frightening. It has no elaborate setups involvilg m-ereury switehes,
printed tireuits, pressurJ-release mechanisms, or miero switehes. lt requires no speeial tools' eomponents. or
know-how to assCmble. Yet, it eould be just as effeetive as the most sophistieated IED in t"apping an unwary
technieian. Likewise, its simplicity makes the deviee easity adapteble. Figure 2 shows thatby-inelining the inner
pipe so that it r€sts in a parailel p6sition when the outer pipe is elevated, just plaeing the IED flat will eause the
b"tt".y to slide into c.oniaet with the copper wire eontaet. In Figure 3. two betteries are utilized. One ebe leg
wire is eonneeted to the positive terminii of the front battery; the other teg wire is eonnected to the seeond battery's
negative terminal. Onee the safety fuse is withdrswn, movement in gi!!91 direetion would eause the IED to funetion.

FIGURE 2

136
FIGUiI I

r37
TOOLS FOR THE
BOMB TECHNICIAN

Cl.srifcdim: nttiiclcd T.ctri3lt 0d1

SlDr.ct Srgg.ilrd Toclc tr lic EolO T.cltldt.

1 Somcr: llr:rlc[s D:rle: Sciol 0109' id$nr ln'rrl' lln03l|llq ll-|Ie'

t 3rdgnrni The followlng lists have been provlded by the Hazardoue Devices
School, Redstone Arsenal,to asiist bomb teaos 1n eguipplng thelr tool klts.
TEOiltGlt nFoirtTtot

Tir ittor ai ..ci blt|.c[iCll'slr.l llt t . mtr|f .l trrt.l ltf:nrcr. th ll.l ltrtr prlld I lllr lllctlr
rt .fi;Gd 13 g;lirhs ll !rc! li$rrd trcblclll Yryiq coilitiltl;.t rtrl Jairitt tl ldahe* Prb
li3ati.l al ltt[F i[ tffr ldltla! lct3 l.t lcccr:riltsrlilttt r llsctrt

Srrllrlrt Trlr al Edmstr br I TUHIll Ttil:

1. Exacto Knife/Scalpel and Assorted Blades.

2. Knife.
3. Soall Lineman or Diagonal Wi.re Cutters.
4, Monofilanent TaPe.
5. Electrical TaPe.
6. Treble llook.
7. 2 Standard Flastrlights - 2 Penlight Flashlights.
8. 500 Feet of Line (Minisrun) .
9. Cap Crinpers.
10. Wood Chisel.
11. Ssrall Claw Hamer.
L2. Explosives, Tine Fuse, and Nonelectric Blasting Caps'
13. Stethoscope.
L4. Dental Mirrors.
15. Assortment of Cot.ter Pins.
16. Hemostats .
17. Small Vise GriPs.
18. Phillip's and FIat Tip Screwdrive:-
I9. Nonconductive ?robes.
20. Shotgun or Gas Gun.
?L. Wacer Pump'PIiers.
22. Pipe Wrench.
0tarel Tdr ad E$itr[atl tr I Twcflen Tcrn &c Li3ltd 3tl0i:

}Lasking Tape ltragnets

Duct Tape Face Shield
Fish Hooks Cap Protector (Pipe)
14" Pinch Bar Pipe Wrench
Electrical Denolition EquiPment Hack Saw with Assorted Blades
Doctor's StethoscoPe Bomb Trailer
Zona Saw X-Ray
Sandbags FDE Blasting Machine, 10 Caps
Multi Tip Screwdriver Galvanometer
Pulleys Firing Wiring, 500 Feet

138
 Renoce Opening Tool'
X-Ray Eqiripnent and DeveloPer.
* 2 Cryogenic LInlts.
Reoote llire Cutterg.
Body Atmor.
Bmb Blankets.
lleavy ltuty Vise.
Lead Tire for Flring Llnes.
Camera.
Tape Recorder.
Volt - Otrm Meter.
BatterY Tester.
Soall iuxiliary Light SYsteu'
* Assorted ltand Tools.
Listening Equipoenc (L00 dollars Plus).
Van Type Vehicle.
Portable Storage Area.
Deoolition Area.
Duct Tape.
Wooden Wedges.
Boob Traillr (either improvised or manufaetured).
0iinrl Trlr mrl EquiFrl lrc Lirtcd Sclow:

Evidence CoLlection Kit (Snall)

Metal Detector.
Shovels, Hoes, and Rakes; i.e., Post Blast Tools'

S!Rr:l.d Tools .d Eoiunnl l.r. T.m olFire a lhrc Ptsolts:

1. Electionic Explosive Detector.

2. No. 3 and 4 Cryogenic Units.
3. Video Recorder System.
4. Large Auxiliary Lighting Systen.
5. Enough Back llp Tools and Spares To Equip 2 To 3 Two-person Tearns.
6. Heavy Duty Truck.
7. Second Van Type Vehicl.e.
8. Bonb SLed.
9. Bornb Trailer.

* 2 Large cr I large and I small Cryoqenics .nit'

ktk AE least lwo secs of hand tools'

Optioml Equilnenl:

Permaneni {}Pe Bunker in Dernolition Area.

139
 UNUSUAL FUZING

l. Gliirilic:tion: R!3tric?ad Tlchnlcal 0ati,

2. $bjrct: Unururl Furing.

t. Sourcc: Foreign,
0om!slio.
ItTe00ucfl0il
During
"used
there was an average of over 130 bombings per month. Tie majority of the.improvised explosive de-viees
(lED) rn these incidents utilized some variation ol tire basie noneleetrical delay fusing system as a means of
inltirtlon. Similarly, of the approximately 1?2 IED reeovered in the United States in the largest number
e;npfoyeOsimpleiniiiationsyiiems. Itislnevitable,though,thateachyearoutof thetnousandsof bombingsand
rectveries, some deviees wiih elaborate or out of the ordinary fuzing systems will be eneountered. Five such
explosive deviees are presented in this bulletin.
i

I TtcHrlcrt lrt0RMrTl0t
I
Inciclenl vo. J: The explosive device depieted in Figure 1 was diseovered by the driver of a fuel delivery vehiele.
t It had been plaeed beniath the main shutoff valve of a gasoline storage. tank, whieh was one in a group of six tanks.
ihe storage'tanks, with eapaeities of ?,000 to 13,000 gallons, eontained gasoline and diesel fuel.
Upon approaehing the suspieious paekage, the- driver piel:ed it up and carried it approximatety,l00 feet to an open
(EoD)
resionded td tne sclne an?,'while awaiting the arrival of a militany explosive ordnanee disposal
ioii""
"i"u.
team, evaeuated the area.

:#

.,iJt;l -.

ffit*tr;.,*". i_

\'. - '{G-i
FIGURE l: DEYICE OESCRISED lta lllCl0€llT lt0' I AFTER 0|SMAllTLlllG

140
Placement of the IED in a bomb transport trailer was aecomplished by remote means. The dvviee was then removed
to a safe area, where it was dismantled from behind a blast shield using remote handling tools.

Yellow plastie, similar to a plastie trash bag, eompletely enelosed the bomb's eomponents. !lasking tape seeured
this covering. The explosive eharge eonsisted of 12 stieks of 70% dynamite which were eneased in plaster of Paris.
A number cl 1 1 4 ineh finishing nails had been imbedded in the plaster, and green paper toweling was used to wrap
the entire eonglomeration. One electrie blasting eap had been inserted into a stiek of d5'namite, with two other
eaps placed between stieks in the dynamite bundle. Eleetrie current for the IED was supplied by a 9 volt illallory'
dry'eell batteri' eovered with masking tape.
The delay mechanism for this explosive deviee was an Admiral travel eloek radio. See Figure 2. Although the
radio portion wss bsttery operated, the eloek itself was run by a hand wound mainspring. Through a series of me-
ehanical linkages, the clock was able to complete the appropriate electrical eircuits to carry out any preset elock
radio funetions.

FIGURE 2: FROtlT AllD BACI( YlEl{S 0F Ct0CX BADt0 USE0 AS DELAy MECITAItSM

Normall5', for the radio to funetion, the ON/OFF/AUTO switeh would have to be either in the ON or AUTO position.
The SLEEP timer knob (upper left portion of elock faee) shut off the radio after any period of time up to 60 minutes.
At the lower left eorner is the .ALARI\{ switeh, whieh turns the radio on at a predeiermined time. Both the ALAR}i
and SLEEP timer switehes operate onlv in the ALITO position. Eaeh operates independentl5;.

When the device was dismantleC, it wBS establjshed that the eloek had passed the ALARI\t setting and that both
the ALARi\'l and SLEEP timer eontrols were in the OFF position. The wires to the ON/OFF/AUT=O switeh had been
severed at two points and were reconnected as lollows: from one of two ALARM switch terminals to one leg wire
of the series-joined blasting eaps: anC from the other alarm terminai through-the 6 volt batter!' to the single"btasiing
cap. Figure 3 illustlates where the cuts were made. Had the ALARII eontrol been turned to ON, the IECwould
have functioned as the preset tirne was reaehed. If the SLEEP timer had been rotated from the dFF position, the
deviee would have funetioned instantaneouslv.

141
 t't'd
FTGUBE 3: SCH€MATIC O|AGRAM SH0wltlG wtlEnE lEO ClnCUlT l{AS CUT T0 ATTICH ELASTltlG CAP !EG WIRES

lncident No. 2: Expbsiv,. deviees utilizing a novel method of initiation were eneountered b1' foreign partieipants.
The meehanieal delal'for these devices was provided b]'shutter release assernbiies normallv found in eameras.

A 3?0 gram mixture of pierie aeid/'potassium ehlorate eontained in a stainless steel vessel servei as the main explcsive
charge. Seeured on top of the vessel was a elose fitting lid seeured with selfrapping serews. The deiav meehanism
"mounted
was atop theiid. See Figure il. Fastened inside the Iid, in a pieee of piastie bag, was a srnali metal evlinder
holding a Phillips flashl)ulb buried in a booster eharge of.40 grams of the pierie aeid,/potassiurn ehlorate mixture.
(Figure 1.) The power souree, a 9 volt Ray-O-Vae transistor battery, was situated beside the booster eharge.

The shutter reiease asserrblv mounted on the lid has a maximum dela-"- of approximatelli 14 seeonds. ]Jounted on
a frsme inside the lid was e smali push button switeh. See Figure 3. Upon expiration of the delav period, a prong
attaehed to the shutte!- release rneehanisrn would depress the push button switeh eompleting the eleetricai cireuit.

/ncident .\o.3; The sa:ntl ilgeney reported an attempt to trap polieemen investigating what appeared to be a erashed,
stolen car. The circumstanees of the theft and erash were such that an EOD teehnician was ealled in to clear the
vehicle. On the rear s€t was a jaeket whieh partially eovered a .22 ealiber rifle. More importantly, though, it
was aseertained that the jaeket eornpletely eoneealed an IED whieh was rigged in sueh s manner that moving the
rifle would have triggered the deviee's eollapsing eireuit initiating system.

The filler eonsisled oi three pounds of explosive in a plastie bag. Two short delay eleetrie cietonators lfere utilized'
along with two 9 volt batteries (one for the deeay cireuit and one.for the firing eireuit). A9 s!91n in Figure.6'_
the iemainder of the deviee was eomprised of a 60 minute timer (-for delayetJ arming), a Ofi,/OFF arming sJvitgn'
a fiashlight bulb (test bulb), and an el-eetromagnetie relay (activating switeh)' A 6l/2 inch x 4 1/2 ineh x2l/2
ineh compartmented wooden box housed the cireuitrlt.

142
 Cd
tu(c'{

FIGURE 4: LEFTi SHUTTER RELEASE MECHAXISM OII TOP OF IED

RIGHTi SATTERY AIIO EXPLOSIVE ATTACHED TO UI{OERSIDE OF LID

FIcURE 5: 80lT0v 0F ASSEMBLY l{lT{ PUSH BUTT0ll S9,lTCH

POSITIOiED BETEATH METAT PROIIG FROM S{U'TEB NELEASE ASSEMBLY

t43
 Oil OFF ARMI}IG EXTER}IAL LOOP
su{tTcH

POWER SOURCE

t,
a:;

POWEB SOURCE

E LAY

TEST BULB
DELAYEO ABMIIIG SWIT \i
Li'
)

TO DETOIIATOR CIRCUIT BREAKER

FIGURE 5: PH0l0 0F ACTUTL DEVIoE EICoU{?EBEo lr liol0EtT t0.3

Passing through one side of the box was a 2 ineh wire loop used in testing the deviee's eleetrieal eireuitry. Two
pairs of wires passed through the opposite side of the box. One pair was eonneeted to the detonators; the other
pair formed the cireuit breaker.

To arm this IED, the delay meehanism is set at the desired time. After testing the eontinuity of the eleetric eireuit
through the timer, the external loop is eut. By eonnecting the eireuit breaker wires to the rifle barrel the eircuit
to the aetivating switeh is eompleted. This eauses the relay to be held in the open position (which in turn interrupts
the firing eireuit). Cornpletion of the arming sequenee is attained by conneeting the terminals and placing the
arming switeh in the ON position.

If contaet between the eireuit wires and the rifle is broken, the interrupted cireuit will allow the aetivating switeh
(relay) to elose. Providing that the arming time delay has expired, the firing eireuit would then be eompleted the
instant the rela-v- elosed. See Figure 7.

This deviee, if not diseovered or destroyed, wouid function when the power souree holding the relay open lost its
ehalge-a deeaying eireuit. Any attempt to cut the wires by untrained personnel eould produee the same result
as separation of the rifle barrel and the circuit breaker wires,

144
 ARXING SX/ITCH

EXTERN{L LOOP

ACTIVATING
SITCH
FOI'ER (RELAY TY?E POTER
50uRCE SOURCE

T'€LAYED
ARMNG
9trTCH
(60 TTNUTE
IilER)

TEST zuLB

TO DETONATOR TO CIRCUIT BREAGR

{RIFLE}

FIGURE ?: SCHEMATIC OIAGRAU 0F DEVICE SH0Wltlc DELAY AID DECAY CIBCUITS

InctdenrNo.4: Because of suspieious eircumstanees surrounding the diseoverv of a stolen ear, officials searched
the ear for possible booby-trapped lED, The srea in whieh the vehiele had been loeated was also cheeked for boobl'
traps or comman<i operated explosive devices. In spite of these preeautions an explosion oeeurred as the ear was
being moved. The polieeman driving the ear rvas killecj and five other individuals were injured.

This pressure release explosive device had apparentl-v- been metieuiously buried and further eoneealed by situating
one of the car tires on top of it. Two large milk eans were useci as eontainers for the deviee, and the explosive
eharge wss estimated to have been 200 to 500 pounds of ANFO. A plunger meehanism housed in a wooden frame
aeted as the pressure release switeh. The frame was a simple four-sided bos measuring 5 inches x 3 1/2 inehes
x ? 1/2 inehes.

145
 was a pieee of tin with
A slot was eut in the top of the frame. Attaehed to the underside of thjs slotted board
eontact and was held in plaee b1' four screws, whieh also held the frame
a matehing slot. The tin served as one
and bottom of the frame'
together. A soft wooden;l;G;r ;;; then fitted through the stot Bt right angles to the top
See Figure 8.

":.7

t' - -.:--

FIGUBE 8: LEFTi PRESSURE RELEASE PTUXGER MECI{ATISM Ii POSITIOI{.

oF DESCRISED Itl 'IREOl0' 4
ll{clDEllT
f,IGHT: 0oMPOilEr?S OEYICE

was fastened
Mounted within the frame were two eonieal springs (similar to mattress springs). A pieee of.plywood
atop the springs. On the upper surfaee of this ply"wood platform were two eopper discs whieh together served as
the'seeond eoitaet. The piunger and platform were fastened to one another with screws'

whieh separated
By parking the vehicle wi..h one tire on the plunger, the plywood platform compressed the springs'
t'rie'contaits, (Eleetrieal leads frorn the eontaeis were wired into the IED's eireuit.) rlloving the car would enable
the springs to foree the piunger and plywooC platform upward, ultimately allowing the tin plate anC the copper
dises to riake eontaet, thus iompleting tne circuit. (Refer to Figure 8')

146
 Inctdent No. 5: Srnall i,r,,-.rrdiar.v deviees with dela5' initiating systems are popular among terrorists in sorne eountries
overseas. The devrees basically consist of a watch with only its hour hand and a gas igniter element. One of the
more popular eontainers has been the srnali plastie ease in whieh eassette tape eartridges are stored. Sec Figure
o

FIGUEE 9: Tlf0 YIEWS 0F SMALL ll{cEllDlARY DEYICE C0llTAlllED lll PLISTIC CASSETTE TAPE CASE

Earlier types eonsisted of a wateh with a eontaet pin inserted through its face, a l] volt bBttery, an element from
a battery porvered gas lighter, and a quantity of ehlorate, sugar, and oil. l'he gas lighter element serves us the
igniter and it is inserteC into the inecndiarv ehargc. To eheek thc nrming of the time delav mcehanism, a flashlisht
buib is inclucjed. 'l'lresc components are assembled and placed inside the eontainer.
,;

il

t47
A reeent reeover], of four ineendiary deviees refleeted a dual modifieation in the assembly proeedure. Utilizing
eontainers with clear plastic lids (Figure l0), holes were made in the bottom and side so the base of the test bulb
and a wire (B) would protrude. The other ehange involved taping the wateh to the outside of the conteiner. Apparently
introduced to faeilitate handling by an untrained bomber, these modifieations make a battery cheek and arming
of the timing meehanism a simple task. Both can be performed without opening the eontainer.

FlGunE lO: GEilERIL OESIGfl 0F ltlCEx0lARY 0EYICE lt ItCIDEXT 110.5

INCENDIARY FILLER
BROWN BLUE
IIIULTI-STRAND YiIRE MULTI-STRAND WIRE

lr\ -\ t/- I.5 VOLT GAs IGNITER

\1),\ ,,t/
I I .r t
'l 2
/\/ r \-/
/\l

HOUR HAND
BLACK
IIIJLTI-sTRAI\D IRE
CONTACT PIN

FLASHLIGHT BULB

I.5 VOLT BATTERY

AI

EULB LTGHTS IHEN UIRE A IS TOUCHED OIiI AI.

TO ARII - IIOVE HAI'ID TO GIVE REQUIRED DELAY.

Jolttl ftlREs A aND B.

FIGURE ll: ElSlC CIRCUIT 0llGfiAM 0f Silltt IXG:'X0llit DIYIC€

148
As shown in Figures 10 & 11, I battery or eireuit test ean be exeeuted simply by touehing a wire (A) to the base
of the test bulb. This wire leads to the watch. With the hour hand against the eontaet pin and wire A plaeed against
the base of the bulb, the bulb will be seen to light if the battery and eireuit are working properly. When the hour
hand is set at th€ required delay, the bulb will go out. Wire A is then eonnected to wire B (from the initiator) whieh
protrudes through the bottom of the eontainer.

A disadvantage from the bomber's point of view is that although this design sirnplifies handling of the deviee, it
makes the eireuitry much easier to detect during a cursorv seareh.

t49
U.S. BOMBINGS

BOMBINGS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY

SOURCE: Domestic.

One bombing incident that was narrowly avoided in Mareh

-Aprii,
and another that
oeeurred in prompted this FBI Bomb Data Center (BDC) bulletin. In the former
ease, a radio eoniroue'd improvised explosive deviee (IED) was stumbled upon and
deteeted by an innocent eitiz-en, whereas in the latter ease, a delay type of improvised
ineendiary bevice was used to destroy an empty, parked ear'

BOMB IS FOUND IN TRASH CAN

A possible tragedy was avoided in San Diego, California, when a eitizen aecidentally
:

loeated an IED an-d a model airplane radio transmitter in a eanvas bag inside a garbage
ean.

The remote eontrolled IED, had it been operative, would have functioned as follows:
When the reeeiver picked up the signal frbm the transmitter, the servo-motor would
turn, pulling on the mono-filament flshline, thus elosing the firing switeh and exploding
the bomb. As a safety preeaution, the blasting eap wires were diseonneeted and a light
was wired in paraller i,viitr the eircuit. If the light was on, it was a warning not to hook
up the blasting eaP.

TX . MODEL AIRPLANE TRANSMITTER s2 - ol,l/oFF swTcH FOR C1 AND Ll

T1 . AC ADAPTOR FOR CHABGING NICAD 82. FVOLTBATTERY
BATTERIES IN TX AND RCVR Ll . I.JGHT
B1 . BATTERY FOR RECEIVER C1 . BLASTING CAP
M1 . SERVO iTOTOR
FIGURE I: REMOVE CONTROLLED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE - SCHEMATIC

150
CAR BOt-tBING AT AIRPORT

On Sunday, April 9 a ear burst into flames while parked in a lot at Washington
National Airport, Alexandria, Virginia. After extinguishing the flames, the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) Fire Department noticed a battery and a timer on the
right front floor board of the car. Upon diseovery, the FAA sent for a speeial team
from the loeal poliee.

Having concluded that the fire was eompletely extinguished, one of the offieers
approaehed the car to do an initial search. Found on the front right floor board of the
ear was the improvised ineendiary deviee (IID), whieh in this ease was eonstrueted using
a 12 volt motoreycle battery and a eommon kitehen timer to initiate the gasoline soaked
interior of the automobile. Wires eonneeted to the battery and timer were out of sight
underneath and behind the battery. Figure 3 is an aetual photograph of the eloek delay
type of incendiary meehanism just deseribed.

The IID funetioned when eleetron fiow from the battery passed through the timing
mechanism and associated wiring, thereby heating a small bridgewire (.020) and igniting
a eombustible eomposition of gasoline vapors.

FIGURE 3: INCENDIARY DEVICE

151
 DISMANTLING THE DEVICE

Onee the offieer had surve],'ed the situation, he made an attempt to disrupt the eireuit
by cutting the wires eonneeted to the battery by using the bomb eireuit eutter. Even
though the wire was approximately 16 gauge, the insulator was too thiek to aliow the
cutter to be utilized. Ii was decided to remotely remove the batter-v and timer
assembly from the vehiele bv means of a rope. Once this task had been eompleted. an
investigdtion of the device revealed that it had in faet funetioned and was now safe.
Vehieles near the burned car itself were eheeked for other deviees. No other deviees
were found. Figure denotes an outside view of the ear with the ineendiary deviee just
.1
to the right of the automobile. Figure 5 is an illustration of the approximately $6'000
damage done to the inside of the car.

i
k
!,

FIGURE 4: OUTSIDE VlEw OF TARGET CAR

FIGURE 5: EXPLOSION DAMAGE

r52
WEAPONS SMUGGLING

WEAPONS SMUGGLING
SOURCE: Foreign.

Two ineidents that involved the smuggling of weapons into a foreign country pre-
eipitated this Bomb Data Center (BDC) bulletin. Both ineidents, one that was
perpetrated by members of a terrorist organization and the other that was
attempted by a United Nations offieer were aborted by the foreign power. The
eontraband confiscated will be deseribed herein.

On April 15' , a detail of four terrorists penetrated the border of anothel

country. In an eneounter with a unit of a local defense foree, all four of the
terrorists were killed. The following arms and equipment were found on the
terrorists:
4 G-3 rifles with bayonets
l0 rifle grenades
l8 hand grenades
l0 demolition bloeks in 3 paekets, with 3 standard detonators
4 sets of personal equipment and 2 packs
A Fatah flag with the inseription'rGroup 14"
Pamphlets explaining the purpose of the planned attaek

Two of the four G-3 rifles were new and all of the rifles were determined to be in
perfeet meehanieal order. The grip on the rifles was of a new design, in addition to
the folded butt made out of steel. The grip is wider than that used for the previous
weapons of this type, and this makes it easier to hold, espeeially during aulomatie
fire.

FIGURE 1: RIFLE

153
 FIGURE 2: RIFLE

Six out of twelve ammunition magazines were loaded with a eartridge blank on top.
This enables the guerrillas free movement with a loaded rifle, or with a grenade
(anti-armor, anti-personnel) fixed on the rifle launeher. Regular fire can be
initiated by removing the grenade and coeking it (to remove the eartridge blank),
without having to replaee the magazine.

STIUCGUNG OF WEAPOI{S BY A UI{O OFFICER

On June 5, a routine eheek was earried out after an automobile aceident

involving a United Nations Organization (UNO) vehicle. This seareh revealed two
suiteasei with various weaponi and ammunition. The subsequent interrogation of
the subjeci established the faet that he had earried the suiteases on a mission for
terrorist organizations.

a
,t &;d/,fj

lb^-

FIGURE 4

154
The following explosives were confiseated:

l8 demolition blocks M-112, made in the USA. These blocks contain high explosives
of the RDX type.
l0 demolition blocks of U.S. manufaeture. These bloeks contain high explosives of
the TNT type.

?7 plastie dynamite stieks - each plastie stiek contained a mixture of high explo-
sives, nitroglyeerin and ethylene glyeol dinitrate.

FIGURE 5: DEMOLITION BLOCKS

4.4Ct

-t T.il.r.

FIOURE 0: ORAWII{O OF OEXOIITION SLOCK

Detonators reeovered are listed below:

60 eleetrieal detonators, of two prineipal types:

a) Immediate explosion - marked OIZ (manufaeturerrs designation eode).
b) Delayed aetion - these are longer detonators, marked on the base with the letter
I'Tr with a digit, whieh is the manufaeturer's eode for the length of delay.

fire detonators marked OIZ arc known to be manufaetured in the Eastern bloe.

155
 ffi,

t'*
I
i

t f
fik*lrrArrltlrl\' \tll
i,

';r,'rf ?ii ItIll li11lUil! HSo,

FIGURE 7: DETONATORS

FIGURE t: DETONAIOR ilARKINOS

CREI{ADES RECOYERED

fire gfenades reeovered were the MK2 type. These grpnade.s used to be
manuiaetured in the U.S. until around Ttre year of manufaetute on the
outside of the eontainer though was fire gtenades were examined and it was
found that they were externitty identieal with Ameriean grenades, !,ut that the
grenades
inside the "g" riere different. In American- grenades the explosive
"ipl&iu"r
u,i; is 'Composition (AOg TNT and 60% RDX), whilst in the grenades seized'
the filler use-d was TNT in flake form. Beeause of this diserepaney therefore' it
that the grenades were not manufactured in the U.S., but rather are
"pp"".r
imitations of Arnerican Military ordnanee.

156
 s
ru*E
FIGURE 9: GRENADES

GUNS SMUGGLED

Also eonfiseated in the smuggling attempt were some small arms. A?.62 Mll AK-
47 assault ri.fle made in Poland was reeovered, along with two g MM
"Beretta"
Model 12 Parabellum sub-machineguns. These sub-maehineguns are described
below:

Manufaeture -'rBeretta't (Italy)

Calibre - I MM Parabellum
Action Principle - Reeoil, no loeking
Butt - Collapsible steel
Length - 64.5 inehes; folded - 41.8 inches
Length of Barrel - 20 inehes
Rear sights - two positions
Netweight-3kg.
Weight, loaded - 3.?3 kg.

FICUR€ l0: SU&MACHIi{E CUNS

t57
 Would you like to know what the U.S. government
knows about terrorist explosives? Well, Federal Bomb
Intelligence represents thirty-five of the most
notorious, sophisticated, or effective improvised
exptosive devices that have actually been built or used
around the world. The information contained in these
bulletins has been circulated to EOD specialists and
counterterrorism experts within the government who
are tasked with monitoring and/or preventing the use
of bombs against the U.S. government, its citizens/ or
its property.
Detailed, nontechnical information and schematics
show exactly how each device was constructed. ln
cases where the bombs were used, the reports
describe how they were detonated and their impact.
lnstructions or suggestions for detection and defusion
also accompany some devices. Highlights include the
Lake Tahoe bomb (a 1,000-pound, supersophisticated
bomb with thirty-four switches and leveling bubbles
for stability); electronic delay circuits; short-duration
timers; package bombs received by U.S. embassies;
the latest car bombs used in Canada, Puerto Rico, and
elsewhere; booby-trapped flight bags; solid-state
timing devices; and much, much more. A lot of the
information presented in this book has never been
seen cutside restricted circles!
Find out what your government knows about
explosives but isn't telling you.

A PALADIN PRESS BOOK

tsBN 0-87364-613-4