Homeland Security Information Bulletin
Title: Potential Indicators of Threats Involving Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs)
Prepared by: Risk Assessment Division, Information Analysis Directorate, Department of Homeland Security.
The following information is meant to advise the public as well as people who own and operate facilities about possible indicators of terrorist attack planning. DHS encourages individuals to report information concerning suspicious or potential criminal activity to law enforcement or a Homeland Security watch office. Individuals also may report incidents to the Homeland Security Center (HSC) at 202-282-1616, email to State.Local.HSCenter@dhs.gov.
Potential VBIED Indicators
DHS has no specific information to indicate that a truck bombing of any kind is currently being planned in the United States. The existence of any one of the following indicators does not in and of itself suggest terrorist activity. Each incident should be carefully assessed together with other information present to judge whether there is cause for further investigation:
Theft of explosives, blasting caps, or fuses, or certain chemicals used in the manufacture of explosives.
Rental of self-storage space for the purpose of storing chemicals or mixing apparatus.
Delivery of chemicals directly from the manufacturer to a self-storage facility or unusual deliveries of chemicals to residential or rural addresses.
Chemical fires, toxic odors, brightly colored stains, or rusted metal fixtures in apartments, hotel/motel rooms, or self-storage units.
Modification of truck or van with heavy duty springs to handle heavier loads.
Small test explosions in rural wooded areas.
Treatment of chemical burns or missing hands/fingers.
Untreated chemical burns or missing hands/fingers.
Purchase or theft of explosives or chemicals may be a precursor to terrorist attacks -Ramsi Yousef--the mastermind behind the 1993 World Trade Center (WTC) attack--purchased the required chemicals directly from a chemical manufacturer. Timothy McVeigh--the perpetrator of the attack on the Murrah Federal Building--used a combination of theft and small purchases over a six (6) week period to amass the necessary ingredients used to assemble his explosive device.
Rental of self-storage units and the delivery of chemicals to such units - Both Ramsi Yousef and Timothy McVeigh rented self-storage units in order to store chemicals. Ramsi Yousef had the chemical manufacturer deliver $3,400 in chemicals directly to his self-storage unit.
Chemical fires, toxic odors, brightly colored stains, or rusted metal fixtures in apartments, hotels rooms, or self-storage units - Self-storage site managers, motel/hotel staff, and apartment superintendents may wish to be sensitive to any fires, toxic odors, bright stains, or rusted metal fixtures within their facilities. In attempting to prepare an improvised explosive device in the Philippines following the 1993 WTC attack, Ramsi Yousef caused a violent chemical fire to break out in the kitchen where he was preparing his device. Subsequent investigation of this apartment revealed bright stains and rusted metal fixtures (i.e., door hinges, window locks, etc.) throughout the apartment.
Theft of truck or van with minimum one (1) ton carrying capacity - The 1993 WTC attack and 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal Building were carried out with rented vehicles. However, terrorists may use a stolen vehicle in order to impede subsequent investigation. Moreover, most VBIEDs used in recent years have carried large explosive charge that weighed in excess of 2,000 pounds suggesting that continued use of large vans, SUVs or trucks for this purpose is likely.
Modification of smaller capacity vehicles to accept a minimum one (1) ton load - The two vehicles used in the 1998 East Africa bombings were imported into the target country and then locally modified with heavier springs in order to accommodate the weight of the explosive. Local law enforcement may wish to coordinate with appropriate garages or auto mechanic trade associations in their jurisdictions to sensitize them to this indicator.
Small test explosions in rural or wooded areas - Timothy McVeigh detonated at least one small explosive device in a wooded area near his residence in order to test his chemical mixture. Local law enforcement, as well as fire and rescue departments, may be in the best position to report this indicator to the FBI.
Treated/untreated chemical burns or missing hands and/or fingers - Terrorists may seriously injure themselves while manufacturing their bomb that they require immediate and substantial medical care. Hospitals and out-patient clinics should therefore be requested to report such injuries.
