No one is immune to bomb threats and attacks. On June 22, 1993, a geneticist at UCSF, became a victim of the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, when he received a bomb at his home. In 2008, UC Santa Cruz researchers’ homes and vehicles were bombed by animal extremists.

If you receive a telephone bomb threat:

• Remain calm, be courteous, listen to and do not interrupt the caller.
• Get the attention of another person; hand off a note saying, “call UCSF Police – bomb threat – 9-1-1.”
• If your phone has caller ID display, record number of incoming call.
• Write down the exact words of the caller and threat.
• Don’t hang up the phone. Leave line open.
• Notify a supervisor.

Use this Bomb Threat Checklist to record details from the call.

What to look for when receiving suspicious mail:

• No return address.
• Restrictive markings.
• Misspelled words. Bold type or written.
• Unknown powder or suspicious substance.
• Possibly mailed from a foreign country. Excessive postage.

What to look for when receiving a suspicious package:

• Excessive tape.
• Oily stains, discoloration on wrapper.
• Strange odor.
• Incorrect title or addressed to title only.
• Rigid or bulky.
• Lopsided or uneven.
• Protruding wires.

If you receive a suspicious package or mail:

• Stop! Don’t handle
• Isolate it immediately.
• Don’t open, smell or taste

Immediately call 911 from a campus telephone or 415/476-6911 from an off-campus telephone.

DO NOT USE YOUR CELL PHONE AT THE SCENE.

Wash your hands with soap and water.