8430 - TELEPHONING OF BOMB THREATS

The following guidelines may be helpful when a telephone caller announces a bomb threat.

1. Be alert to any of the following background sounds that may give a clue to the location of the caller:

   radio playing, voices, sirens, construction noise, TV, whistles, traffic noise, bells

2. Ask the caller:

   Where is the bomb located?

   What time is it to go off?

   What kind of a bomb is it?

   What is your name?

   Where are you calling from?

3. Make a note about speech characteristics such as:

   male, female, low tone, high pitch, stutter or stammer, regional or foreign accent

4. Note impressions such as:

   does the voice sound familiar?

   does the caller sound sincere?

   does the caller seem familiar with the school?

5. Write down exactly what the caller says; ask him/her to repeat the message.

6. Try to signal someone about the nature of the conversation while you keep the caller on the line.