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Searching vehicles:
It doesn't take much explosives to kill someone. Just imagine how easy it is ...
Highly specialised training is neede to search a car properly, having stopped a vehicle in a roadblock.
These are the general points and principles of car searching; you need a lot of practice and experience before you can regard yourself as competent not only in knowing what to look for, but also how and where to find it.
There are three types of vehicle search:
1. Quick search.
2. Thorough search.
3. Workshop search.
Normally, you will carry out quick or thorough searches. Workshop searches involve stripping down a vehicle completely, which is a specialist job requiring specialist equipment.
As always, what you will do depends on the circumstances. A quick search might well progress into a thorough search at the OC's discretion, either because of information recieved or just the intuition of the searches that something is not right with the vehicle.
Never let the driver rush you in your examination. Invariably, people will be in a hurry to 'meet a relative' or pick up the kids from the school'. The inconvenience of a checkpoint search can make even the mildest drivers angry. Act calmly and formally - never put yourself into the position of having to answer back.
The deterrent effect:
Searches are carried out for two reasons; thefirst is as a deterrent. The purpose
here is to put the terrorist off carrying out his clanestine activities. If, for instance,
you habitually search all cars leaving and entering a military base, it is unlikely that
terrorists will attempt to conceal weapons in a vehicle as they are likely to be caught.
Even random searches of vehicles at road checkpoints help to prevent the regular smuggling of arms or drugs, as long as the searchers are efficient at their job.
The specific search:
The second type of search is more direct: it is one where Intelligence suggests
that a particular car is likely to contain items of interest to look for, and can thus be
especially vigilant.
Planning a search:
An experienced searcher will also ask himself six questions to ensure that he has
prepared thoroughly.
1. Who is being searched?
Will the owner of the vehicle be there? Will he mind? Perhaps
he may have to be calmed down - especially if the search
reveals nothing and you have ripped up his vehicle! Note his
appearance and attitude - are they suspicious?
2. Why is the search taking place?
Has the car been deliberately identified as suspect, or is it
just a deterrent search?
3. What am I looking for?
Are you trying to discover explosives, incriminating letters,
arms, ammunition, maps, money, drugs, detonators, radio
equipment? Or are you just looking for anything of interest? This will
dictate how thoroughly you search.
4. Where should the search take place?
Does the vehicle need to be moved to a garage to make the
search easier, for instance to look underneath or in the engine?
5. When is the search taking place?
A search carried out in the dark could result in tragedy if
you fail to notice a trip wire. If in doubt, postpone the search until
morning.
6. How is the search to be carried out?
What is your plan of action? Make sure you do it
systematically and methodically, so as not to miss out any part of the car.
The disagree of thoroughness will depend on the amount of suspicion
attached to the vehicle, and the level of sophistication
and consealment techniques of the terrorist.
What to look for:
There is a wide range of specialist terrorist devices, but you are looking for
one of three elements.
1. The absence of the normal/presence of the
abnormal.
Ask yourself, "Does the car look right?" Do the
carpet fit properly, or have they been lifted recently? Why?
2. The sophisticated booby trap.
A trigger switch, for example, could have been placed under
the hollow of the front seat, and will be activated the moment
the seat is lifted.
3. The hastily-laid booby trap.
A heat-activated device can easily be tied to an exhaust, and
the effect of the engine heat will be fatal if the bomb remains
undetected. A device like this could be planted in seconds.
If you find something:
If your search reveals an explosive device or something that looks like one,
clear the area immediately. Then hand over to civilian or military bomb disposal units,
who will attempt to render the device harmless.
Tips for searching some makes of cars:
1. VW Beetle
The dashboard is accessible from under the front bonnet and provides a good
'hidden' space.
2. Renault 4
The rear wheel arches extend high into the bodywork, enabling small arms to be
safely stashed.
3. Hillman Avenger
The rear panel above the bumper is double-skinned; a hole can be cut from the
boot to gain access.
4. Maxi
Large voids in the air hoses under the front wings deserve extra examination.
5. Mini
Some models have a boot floor instead of a mat to cover the spare wheel - where
weapons could be stored.
Eight tricks to make searching simpler:
1. Look for evidence of recent activity.
2. Ask yourself where you would hide something.
3. Look above and below as well as at eye level.
4. Keep thinking where the spaces are and how to reach them.
5. Have a change of kit handy; you might get messed up.
6. Strong smells of talc or perfume may be hiding the powerful smell of explosives.
7. Get the driver to open the bonnet and the boot; don't try it yourself.
8. Look carefully at the driver - is he or she nervous?
Some types of explosive devices:
1. Time delay
This is attached to a simple timing mechanism such as an alarm
clock; it could be concealed in the glove compartment.
2. Pressure switch
This is activates an explosive device when touched, for
example when the accelerator pedal is pushed down.
3. Release switch
This pulls a trip wire when a door is opened or a chair
lifted, and can be made using an ordinary clothes peg.
4. Tilt switch
This is set of by a tilting movement and so is quite suitable
for attacking around axles. It can be detonated by jacking the car
up to look underneath.
5. Heat switch
This could be located in the engine compartment or on the
exhaust pipe, where the device explodes upon reaching a certain
temperature.
6. Remote-controlled device
This could be quite sophisticated; radio control allows the
operator to detonate the charge from a safe distance, at the time
when it will cause the most damage.
An urban vehicle check point:
A rural vehicle check point:
How to conduct a thorough car search:
Car searches are nearly always carried out by nore than one person; in this case one person should direct the search so that it is carried out methodically and systematically. He should also note down all the items found and where they were located, and should check off each area of the vehicle as it is completed.
The simplest way to carry out a search is to break down the areas of examination into five stages:
1. Exterior bodywork.
2. Underneath.
3. Interior.
4. Boot.
5. Engine.
It is vital that you proceed logically so that no part of the vehicle is left out.
1. The layout: one sentry forward, one rear, one man standing in the road to stop traffic, and the fourth covering him.
2. Stop the vehicle and check its registration against the wanted car list. Check the driver's licence.
3. Ask the driver for his registration number and where the
spare wheel is: if he has to look before answering he may be
driving a stolen vehicle.
4. You noticesomething suspicious: in this case the
petrol cap has been ripped of the car. You decide to conduct a thorough
search.
5. Start with the outside of the vehicle and keep the owner with you to watch the search.
6. While one soldier searches the car in company with its owner, another soldier covers him at all times.
7. After doing the outside, search the underneath of the
car: look for fresh paint, disturbed underseal and unconvincing
'exhaust systems'.
8. Next search the boot: get the owner to open the boot and any luggage inside. Take out the carpet and spare wheel.
9. Grenades can easily be concealed in the space between the boot carpet and the floor or sides.
10. Next you search the engine, again getting the driver to open the hood and in this case the filter.
11. Search the passenger seat area: make sure you reach into all cavities.
12. When you have finished the owner is to sign an indemity
certificate stating he has suffered no damage or loss during the
search.
13. If you find anything suspicious, leave it where it is and arrest the driver. Alert EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal).
14. Once you have found something, search the suspect. Check even his hair.
15. The terrorist suspect is restrained and should be handed over to the police as soon as possible.
Searching motor bikes and bicycles:
Their small size makes them fairly easy to search, but look out for the following surprises:
1. False partitions in petrol tanks.
2. Weapons concealed in the hollow of rubber handlegripps.
3. Anything concealed in tubular framing, especially under the saddle.
4. Saddle and tool bags concealing explosives.
5. Electrical devices connected to lamps and bells or horns.
6. Wires taped to underside of mudguard and crank case.
Areas to search:
This cutaway shows the main areas to search on a typical saloon car. Check any large box sections or double-skin areas to witch access can be obtained with the minimum amount of alterations. It is essential to be systematic when searching, or you may well miss something.
Warning: Take great care. Unnecessary force or sudden movements such as opening the door or slamming the bonnet could possibly trigger off a trembler switsh.
