Explosive Dropped by UK Homicide Bomber Appears Undetectable to Screening Instruments (debka)

DEBKAfile Security Newsletter ^ | May 5, 2003 | Gioria Shamis -Retired Economist Magazine Reporter

[ewing]

Counter terror agencies worried by novel explosive contained in un-detonated explosive belt dropped by fleeing British terrorist at Mikes Place.

Unfamiliar substance appears undetectable to standard screening instruments at borders and airports.

[ewing]

Didn't Richard Reid have something like this?

[newgeezer]

Bin Laden and Arafat are homicide bombers. Their drones are suicide bombers. There is a factual difference, and acknowledging it pays no respect to any of the b*st*rds. Calling the so-called Palestinians "homicide" bombers sacrifices factual data for the sake of emotion and feelings.

Tim McVeigh was a "homicide" bomber. But, no one called him that because, let's face it, the term is just plain ridiculous. Everyone who bombs with the intent or result of killing people is a "homicide" bomber.

On the other hand, a "suicide" bomber is a different kind of nut who kills himself along with his victims. If the term "suicide" triggers some kind of "victim" status for the reader, that's the reader's problem.

Just like all lame, PC terminology, "homicide bomber" is a hollow euphemism fabricated to avoid offending sheep-minded people who should know better than to be looking for reasons to be offended by mere words.

Otherwise, go rewrite history, and eliminate "kamikaze" from WWII.

C'mon, let the liberal PC crowd be the ones whose feelings outweigh their love for truth. Not us.

[AppyPappy]

They are terrorists

[freeper12]

>>undetectable to standard screening instruments at borders and airports.


Seeing as even still about 1 out of 3 attempts to get low-tech weapons like knives and guns thru airport screeners are still successful (even after blowing thru billions of dollars for security) this should be of no particular concern...

[templar]

So? There are undetectable explosives (with the currently instaled equipment). I know of at least one that is, for practical purposes, totaly undetectable and leaves no traces after the explosion. I doubt that anyone has figured out how to use it for any type of suicide attack, or that they could, but it is just an example of what commonly available materials can be used for.

If anyone thinks that explosives detectors can make us safe, they need to rethink their position. All we can hope for is to reduce the potential by making it harder to sneak commonly used explosives through checkpoints. Where there is a will there is a way. Burgular alarm systems haven't eliminated burglars, they just attract a smarter burglar.

[Brian S]

If anyone thinks that explosives detectors can make us safe, they need to rethink their position.

Same thing can be said for those that think the "government" can make us safe but by God, we are willing to surrender the Constitution trying!

[templar]

Agreed.

[Final Authority]

When I travel I routinely take, in my carry-on, two or more cans of soft drinks that go right through the x-ray. I have yet to be asked to open them and they haven't yet even checked them for the factory seal. Just imagine what a terrorist could put in a can that may cause havoc if one could replicate a factory seal? If one knows an airport security screener, please pass this on.

[Eowyn-of-Rohan]

Anyone who kills anyone with a bomb is a homicide bomber. It really IS a stupid term... they stopped using the term "suicide bomber" because they were afraid it was becoming a respected title of martyrdom among these crackpots... as if the title makes a difference

[ewing]

I have heard that only sniffing dogs at every arline checkpoint would be 100% effective.

[Uncle Jaque]

I had this idea, which will probably reenforce my reputation as a bit of an eccentric in the unlikely event that anyone were to take it seriously -

Back in my former life as a NH State Trooper, I had occasion once to chat with an old German "Master Blaster" demolitions expert at a construction site I happened to be held up at while he made his "shot".

I asked him about the warning sign instructing motorists to "Turn Off 2-Way Radios" approaching the site, and why I needed to shut my Police Cruiser's radio off.

He explained that just having the unit turned on was not a problem, really, but that in the event I was to transmit over it, and in the unlikely event that the standing wavelength of the frequency I was transmitting on happened to match or be a certain multiple or fraction of a length of nearby det wire, the wire might pick up enough of an electrical charge by "induction" to prematurely fire a cap or charge.

He then proceeded to touch off his charge in a granite ledge about 150 yards away - and let me push the plunger of the old-fashioned detanator, something I had long wanted to do.
I had asked him about how far the debries from the blast would travel, and he pointed to a spot on the pavement about 15 feet from where we were standing - "Aboot Zere." he said quite matter-of-factly.

So when he gave the word, I hit the plunger; the road under us bucked, and dirt, rocks, and rubber blasting mats flew up in the air in a most delightful manner. As some of the boulders headed back our way, I began to get a little concerned... but not Old Heintz.

As the smoke and dust began to settle, a rock about the size of a golf-ball rolled up and stopped - right on the spot the old Deutchlander had pointed out.

"Mach Gutt." He said.

Any way... as I see the pictures of dead and mangled Israelis being carted off from the scene of the latest Islammokazi (I think I just invented that word, by the way, but please feel free to use it if you like) hit, I can't help but wonder what might be done to defend people from these murderous whackkos.

So how's this?;

Do the explosive vests these buggers use contain a certain length of wire as part of the detonation system?

Might a highly directional antennae be rigged to a powerful radio transmitter that would emit a short burst of microwave energy (just under what would cause tissue damage) in a range of frequencies apt to match a fraction or multiple of one of those wires? Sort of like an EMP generator, only portable and aimable.

When Security spots a suspicious character skulking around in the open, perhaps enroute to or looking for a target, they aim this "Radar Gun" thing discretely and "zing" him with a burst of radio energy.

Shucks; it might work with car-bombs approaching a checkpoint, for all I know.

If he's innocent, no harm done (except perhaps his walkman); if he's PLO (or whatever) wearing a boom-belt, then his wires catch induction and he is, as they say, "Hoist on his own petard".

Or "Splattered in his own Jihhad?"

Then set up a corridor of cement barriers - perhaps baffled at the ends, through which people (like bus passengers boarding) pass at intervals, sending laptops or electronic equipment they don't want toasted around (after inspection).

When Muchmed the Martyr goes through, an installed transmitter - perhaps tripped by a laser beam - transmits and "ZAP - KABLOOIE"; the blast is directed upwards away from security personel and bystanders.

"Cleanup in Isle 7!"

Yeah; I know - it's a whacky idea. I'm full of 'em!

I just hope somebody comes up with an effective defense for these things - the sooner the better.

[Becki]

Anyone who kills anyone with a bomb is a homicide bomber. It really IS a stupid term... they stopped using the term "suicide bomber" because they were afraid it was becoming a respected title of martyrdom among these crackpots... as if the title makes a difference

You're right. We should just call them terrorists. That's what they are. If Fox would report another terrorist bombing instead of a homicide bombing, it would put things in persecptive rather quickly.

Becki

[Indrid Cold]

If they're trying to get Americans to give up flying, all they really have to do is sit back and let the TSA make the process so odious that Americans give it up voluntarily.

[Preech1]

Actually, there are those that believe the Israeli military employs just such a "Bug Zapper / Radar gun" on some of the homicide bombers. Have you noticed how many of these guys in the last year or so have "Blown up prematurely" or the only victim was the bomber? People here on Free Republic refer to them as "Work Accidents"...check it out sometime.

[cinFLA]

Just like all lame, PC terminology, "homicide bomber" is a hollow euphemism fabricated to avoid offending sheep-minded people who should know better than to be looking for reasons to be offended by mere words.

Actually, FOX and others were pushing this as they felt that it more accurately reflected the murderouse act than "suicide bomber".

It is NOT a lame, PC term.

[cinFLA]

If Fox would report another terrorist bombing instead of a homicide bombing, it would put things in persecptive rather quickly.

FOX championed this phrase to REPLACE suicide bomber to more accurately reflect the murderous act. "Terrorist bombing" does NOT reflect murder.

[Becki]

FOX championed this phrase to REPLACE suicide bomber to more accurately reflect the murderous act.

I know. I remember the whole issue. That is why I would like them to refer to them as terrosits.

"Terrorist bombing" does NOT reflect murder.

Isn't a terrorist a murderer? I think so. They go after civilians.

Personally, I prefer the term terrorist to put them in perspective in the public's mind. Terrorist associates them to the likes of Bin Laden. Murderer would associate them to the likes of Scott Peterson, to take a current example.

Thanks!

Becki

[eno_]

Moreover it is possible to make, on the fly, explosives from materials available in drug stores, and these are liquid explosives, so density-detecting scanners won't find them.

The only solution is to kill all AQ-affiliated persons.

[latrans]

Rather than smash the homes of bombers, the families should be injected with pigs blood.

[Selous]

"Actually, there are those that believe the Israeli military employs just such a "Bug Zapper / Radar gun" on some of the homicide bombers"....

The security forces in Northern Ireland used a similar technique on numerous occasions against PIRA bomb-makers.

And it's not really that new. We used even earlier technology against ZIPRA/ZANLA terrs in Rhodesia back in the 70s. Produced some excellent "own-goals".