The recent collar bomb incident in Australia (link here; (a hoax) highlights to me the role that modern media can play in designing both IEDs and indeed in designing the criminal operations associated with them. I’m treading a fine line here between discussing my concerns and avoiding adding to them. But I’m working on the basis that even the most stupid terrorist has access to a TV and the internet and has worked out the joys of google. And I’m not going to discuss much at all about the technicalities of construction or render-safe. My discussion focuses on the widespread coverage of such events and the ideas they give miscreants.
For background, collar bombs are not new, and normally associated with extortion or hostage situations. In 2000 there was a well-documented case in Colombia, that resulted in the death of a victim and a bomb disposal operator. Less well reported was an earlier case in Venezuela that I suspect was indirectly linked. The Colombian case was unusual for the complexity of the device and surprisingly small amount of money being extorted – if I recall correctly about $6000.
In 2003 there were more cases in Colombia and perhaps Venezuela again.
In 2003 a well publicized case of a collar bomb occurred in Erie, Pennsylvania.
The concept has been used frequently and often by TV producers. The movie “Miami Vice” in 2006 featured one and the TV show CSI Miami also used such a story in 2002, An episode of Hawaii five 0 (season 1 episode 12) used a similar story. One episode of (“1000 ways to die”) also featured a device of this nature.
A film released 2011, called 30 minutes or less featured a neck bomb.
Other films featuring collar bombs include:
- Swordfish
- The Running Man
- SAW 3
- Battlefield Earth
Other TV shows that featured the concept include:
- NCIS
- Nikita
- Flashpoint
- MacGyver
- Torchwood
- Criminal Minds
- Law and Order: Criminal Intent
- The Sarah Connor Chronicles
- Alias
A short drama film was made called PVC1 received widespread attention which featured a collar bomb.
The video game SAW also featured a collar bomb detonating.
The concept also fascinates documentary makers… The following have featured examination of the Erie device:
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- America’s Most Wanted have featured the case three times
Anderson Cooper 360
- Fox News Channel “In the line up”
- The 99 most Bizarre Crimes
So in truth, there is no shortage if inspiration for evil people….but perhaps TV and movie script writers do lack imagination and like copying each others ideas more than terrorists do.
