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The basic weapon of a suicide terrorist (martyr or "mujahed") is an explosive device. The bomb or the socalled martyr”s belt is a curved explosive plate with little bags filled with steel balls, nails and nuts which are fixed on it for splinter effect. The bomb is strapped to a chest with a wide belt. The explosive is set off with an electric detonator or a radio-controlled fuse. Explosive devices can be also transferred in suitcases, packages, backpacks, perambulators, etc.

As a rule, suicide bombers are young men and women 20 - 30 years old, or even teenagers (older terrorists usually join the management of a terrorist organization and  do not participate in such actions directly). Cripples can also be used sometimes.

Suicide terrorists try to move through a crowd without arousing suspicion. They wear similar clothing and dye their hair. Women, especially of European appearance, can wear trousers, shorts or short skirts. Nevertheless their clothes can have some characteristic features:

• Female martyr (if she is a Moslem) wears head-dress. It may be not a traditional shawl, but a light kerchief or a baseball hat. The knot of the kerchief is tied on the back of her head. As a rule, female-Moslems wear long dresses or a skirts and can wind scarfs around their thighs. Some of them simulate pregnancy to hide a bulge under their clothes.
• Male-Moslems are clean-shaven (preparation for burial ceremony) and have clean footwear.
• Suicide bombers wear bulky clothes to conceal bombs strapped to their chests. The clothes may not correspond to the weather. For example, they can wear heavy coats in warm weather. Bulky clothing may stand out in the summer months, but it would be more difficult to accurately detect a potential bomber in the winter.
• If a suicide bombers have to detonate the belt-bomb themselves, they will keep their fists clenched and switches or wires can protrude from their clothing (sleeves).

A suicide-bomber can be also spotted by his or her behaviour. It is impossible to describe a martyr”s way of behaviour precisely, since there are a lot of reasons driving a person to assassination – from mental disease to religious and social factors. Nevertheless, the behaviour of a suicide terrorist differs from that of people surrounding him. Being outwardly calm, he or she can be distinguished by unnatural pallor, certain retardation of reactions and movements, constrained serious and expressless face and running eyes. His/her lips may be pressed together or on the contrary, hardly moving (some terrorists whisper prays).

A bomber could also give himself or herself away by being too nervous,  and jittery, perspiring profusely, repeatedly glancing to the right or left as if fearing pursuit, licking lips.

One could also look for people who appear to be conspicuous because they:

• too actively "screw themselves" into the crowd;
• avoid the police;
• pat down their clothing;
• carry things very carefully, clasp and involuntarily feel them;
• avoid eye contact;
• avoid video cameras (look down, turn away, cover their faces, hide behind tall people);
• repeatedly come to the same place (hesitating to set off the bomb).

If you detect a possible suicide bomber, do not try to neutralize him or her yourself – having felt the danger, the terrorist could detonate the bomb. Calmly, without attracting attention of the terrorist, leave the dangerous zone and call the police. Continue to spy on the bomber and point him or her out to the police when they arrive.

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