Booby-traps and anti-handling devices: Common tactics

SUMMARY: Booby-traps are designed to entice victims to perform a physical action with an apparently harmless object that hides an explosive device that leads to the device’s unexpected initiation. Many booby-traps are improvised explosives devices (IED) and feature some kind of bait targeted to exploit emotions and the anticipated actions of security forces or civilians, who will initiate the explosive device in close proximity. Baiting is designed to attract attention and cause the victim to approach the IED. It is intended to pique curiosity or instinctual feelings, such as the desire to help (bait in the form of a body or an injured person), to profit (financial bait), longing (booby-trapped dolls used as bait in the Vietnam War) or those of honor and patriotism (using flags to lure soldiers to a device).