Procedures for Bomb Threats
All bomb threats are to be taken seriously. Notify the IU Police Department on your campus.
If you receive a bomb threat by phone, remain calm, write down the caller's exact words, and note the time of the call.
Bomb Threat Call Checklist
- Time of the call
- Length of call
- Name of person taking the call
- Exact wording of threat
- Ask the caller:
- When will the bomb explode?
- Where is the bomb?
- What does it look like?
- What will cause it to explode?
- What building is it in?
- What floor is it on?
- What is your name and address?
- Did you place the bomb? Why?
- Caller: Age & Gender
- Background sounds:
- Clear
- Cellular phone call
- PA system
- Factory noises
- Restaurant sounds
- Local call
- Conversation/Talking
- Long distance call
- Traffic
- Music/TV playing
- Weather
- Office sounds
- Animal/Wildlife noises
- Caller's voice:
- Accent
- Angry
- Calm
- Disguised
- Familar
- Laughing
- Stutter
- Clearing throat
- Coughing
- Cracking voice
- Crying
- Deep
- Deep breathing
- Distinct
- Excited
- Lisp
- Loud
- Nasal
- Ragged
- Rapid
- Raspy
- Slow
- Soft
- Threat language:
- Incoherent
- Message read
- Taped
- Profane
- Irrational
- Well-spoken
If you receive a bomb threat in written form, notify the IU Police Department on your campus unit immediately.
- Do a quick visual inspection of your area. Do not touch or move suspicious objects.
- Do not use radios, pagers, or cell phones as they can trigger an explosive device.
- Follow your department's evacuation procedures.

