Emergency Guidelines for the Campus Community

Bomb Threat

If you receive a threatening call:

• Ascertain as much information from the caller as possible. Use the checklist provided below to assist you in recording information obtained from a telephone bomb threat.
• Activate the call trace feature:
  • Hang up
  • Pick up the receiver and dial *57
  • Listen for the beep and hang up.
• Notify Public Safety at 911 from a campus phone or 258-3333 from a cell phone.
• Notify your supervisor.
• Do NOT activate the building alarm system to evacuate. 

If you receive a threatening e-mail:

• Notify Public Safety at 911 from a campus phone or 258-3333 from a cell phone.
• Do not delete the e-mail.
• Forward the e-mail as directed by Public Safety.
• Do NOT activate the building alarm system to evacuate.

If you receive suspicious mail, follow the guidelines for suspicious packages.

Bomb Threat Checklist*

1. Note the exact time of the call
2. Note the caller's exact words
3. DURING THE CALL, ask:
   1. When is the bomb going to explode?
   2. Where is the bomb?
   3. What does it look like?
   4. What kind of bomb is it?
   5. What will cause it to explode?
   6. Did you place the bomb?
   7. Why?
   8. Where are you calling from?
   9. What is your name?
   10. What is your address?
4. Note the qualities of the caller's voice:
   • Calm or Angry or Excited or Stressed
   • Slow or Rapid
   • Crying
   • Slurred, Stutter or Lisp
   • Deep or High
   • Loud or Quiet
   • Giggling
   • An accent
   • Sincere
   • Squeaky
   • Disguised
5. Did the voice sound familiar? If so, who did it sound like?
6. Note any background noises

  *Excerpted from the US ATF Bomb Threat Checklist

©2003 The Trustees of Princeton University. Last modified 16-Oct-2009 16:26 by Robin M. Izzo