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Talk of "Packages" Led U.
S. to Raise Terror Alert Level. Messages from suspected
terrorists about delivering "packages" to American soil led
officials to raise the country’s terror alert status. The mention
of a "package" in several intercepted conversations alarmed U. S.
intelligence analysts because al Qaeda has used the term in the
past as code for bomb material. U. S. officials concluded that al
Qaeda might be planning "dirty bomb" attacks—laced with
radiological, chemical, or biological materials. Testifying before
the Senate Intelligence Committee, CIA Director George Tenet said
recent intercepts involved more than the sort of "idle chatter"
that has prompted past terror alerts. "It is the most specific we
have seen, and it is consistent with both our knowledge of al
Qaeda doctrine and our knowledge of plots this network, and
particularly its senior leadership, has been working for years.
al Qaeda and Affiliated Groups Continue to
Enhance Their Capabilities to Conduct CBRN Attacks. Presently,
al Qaeda and associated groups possess at least a crude capability
to use chemical, biological, and radiological agents and devices
in their attacks. Several al Qaeda affiliated cells have attempted
to carry out attacks in Europe with easily produced chemical and
biological toxins. While these attacks are best suited for
assassination and small-scale dispersal, they can potentially
cause hundreds of casualties and widespread panic if used in
multiple simultaneous attacks. Information indicates that the
group has experimented with procedures for making blister
(mustard) and nerve (sarin and VX) chemical agents. Most CBRN
threats represent an inhalation or contact hazard. To minimize
further contamination, individuals who come in contact with an
unusual substance should cover their mouths with a cloth while
leaving the area, avoid touching surfaces, and was their hands
thoroughly. The Chemical, Biological Radiological (CBR) Incident
Handbook is intended to supply information to first responders for
use in making a preliminary assessment of a situation when a
possible chemical, biological agent, or radiological material is
suspected. The CBR Incident Handbook can be downloaded from the
Central Intelligence Agency Public Interest Site at
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/cbr_handbook/cbrbook.htm.
Transit Cooperative Research Program Reports.
The following 2-volume report is available from the Transit
Cooperative Research Program (TCRP).
Public Transportation
Security: Volume 1, Communication of Threats: A Guide, and
Volume 2: K-9
Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers. A
second report,
Deterrence, Protection, and Preparation: The New Transportation
Security Imperative, Special Report 270, is available from the
Transportation Research Board (TRB). Published reports of TRB and
TCRP are available from the Transportation Research Board,
National Research Council, 2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, DC 20418 and can be ordered on the Internet at
www.national-academies.org/trb/bookstore. |
Reference Site for Force
Protection/Antiterrorism. Information on the following
subjects can be found at http://www.tswg.gov/tswg/prods_pubs/prods_pub.htm.
Best Practices for Seizing Electronic Evidence.
A 24-page illustrated and laminated pocket guide which provides a
basic understanding of key procedural, technical, and leg factors
regarding searching and seizing computers, security systems, and
electronic storage devices and media of all kinds, as well as how
to trace Internet E-mail.
Bomb Threat Standoff Card. Provides
information on the safe distance a responding law enforcement bomb
squad or other first responder must evacuate people away in order
to escape injury from a suspected improvised explosive device
(bomb) of the sizes and conditions listed.
*Vehicle Inspection Checklist Training Support
Package. A complete instructional support package for training
security personnel to inspect vehicles utilizing the Vehicle
Inspection Checklist.
*Small Watercraft Inspection Guide. An
89-page guide for determining various indicators of suspect hidden
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on a range or vessel types,
recognition of typical representative IED types, and has a
training section for recognition of explosives and IED types. Also
useful for inspecting small vessels for any contraband.
*Damage and Injury Card Set. Developed to
aid security professionals in quickly estimating the effects of a
bomb on a structure and personnel within the structure. It
consists of a set of cards illustrating damage and injury
predictions for various types of explosive devices and charge
weights. It predicts resulting effects for wooden structures,
unreinforced masonry, reinforced masonry, reinforced concrete,
steel frame and masonry, steel prefabricated, and glass and steel
frame buildings. It includes a chart on window breaking effects
and points of contact for structural hardening experts in seven
Federal agencies.
Robot Technology Assessment. A reference
for the law enforcement and bomb disposal community on low cost
robots that are able to perform a wide variety of missions. This
report details the results of market research conducted to assess
the performance and cost requirements for robot systems.
Guidelines for Emergency First Responders. TSWG (Technical
Support Working Group) and the National Institute of Justice have
developed a number of Guidelines for First Responders to assist in
the selection of detectors, personal protective equipment and
communications equipment for use in responding to
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*Available only to Federal, State, and local government users.
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