Suspicious packages can come in all shapes and sizes. In general terms, a suspicious package is any bag, box, backpack, package, or other item left unattended or that otherwise seems out of place. For example, a package on a mailroom counter is not necessarily suspicious. But place that same unattended package on a train station platform, it becomes suspicious. Suspicious packages should be immediately reported to a campus Safety Officer. 

SOME TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS which, in combination, may trigger suspicion are: 

• Restricted marking such as “Personal” or “Special Delivery”
• No return address or one that cannot be verified as legitimate
• A city or state in the postmark that does not match the return address
• Unusual weight based on size
• Odors – Some of these chemicals may also give off unusual odors, which the human nose will quickly sense.
• Sweating – Some chemicals used in explosives may “sweat” and result in “greasy” marks on wrappings.
• Lopsided or oddly shaped, strange odors, oily stains, crystallization, protruding wires, rigid or bulky, excessive tape or string.
• Feel – Letters have a normal “feel.” Those that contain devices may simply not “feel” right, or they may be “stiff.” This can indicate the presence of plastic or metallic components as opposed to the normal paper stuffing.