II. Suspicious Item Characteristics
- Excessive weight
- Protruding wires or foil
- Unusual labeling
- Excessive postage
- Handwritten or poorly typed address
- Strange return address or no return address
- Incorrect title or title without a name
- No specific person as addressee
- Restrictions on package (e.g. Personal, Confidential)
- Threatening language on envelope
- Postmark does not match return address location
- Unusual appearance
- Powdery substance felt through or on envelope
- Envelope stained or has odor
- Uneven or lopsided envelope
- Excessive packaging material (e.g. tape or string)
III. Step 1: Contact local authorities
- Local law enforcement
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- State Public Health Department
IV. Step 2: Suspicious item management
- Suspected item handlers wear protective clothing
- Latex gloves
- Particulate mask (Tuberculosis mask)
- Encase letter or package in doubled plastic bags
- Suspected items tested at Public Health department
V. Step 3: Evaluate potential Anthrax contacts
- Wash hands with soap and water
- Decontamination protocol depending on suspected agents
- Maintain list of all exposed persons
- All exposed persons evaluated by emergency personnel
VI. Resources
- United States Postal Service
- CDC Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response