NCJ Number
96600
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 38 Issue: 3 Dated: (July-September 1984) Pages: 90-96
Date Published
1984
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The president of the Australian Ordnance Council and advisor on counter terrorism to a number of governments describes the types of bombs and situations in which they are used, the primary and secondary effects of bombs, the organization of security forces to handle bomb incidents, and the development of equipment for handling bombs.
Abstract
Types of bombs include gasoline bombs, simple incendiaries, blast bombs, time-delayed bombs, booby traps, command-initiated bombs, postal bombs, projected explosive devices, commercial explosives, homemade explosives, and improvised explosive weapons. Terrorists use bombs for assassination, indiscriminate damage, interference with public utilities and communications, publicity, specific targets, coercion, intimidation, revenge, and extortion. The primary effects include blast, fragments, dispersion of noxious substances, and fireballs from incendiary bombs. Secondary effects are the fires which often cause more damage than the original bomb. The police are the main organization responsible for the organization, direction, and control of counter terrorist organizations. Responsibilities include control of bomb scenes, communications, collection and preservation of evidence, and presentation of evidence in court. Detection equipment and equipment to protect personnel have been refined and advanced. A good intelligence organization is important for combatting terrorism. Only the closest cooperation among organizations responsible for counter terrorism will limit the effect of terrorist bombers on the community. Photographs and information on London letter bombs and new regulations in the United Kingdom are included.