There are two types of body armor – soft body armor, which is used in regular bullet and stab proof vests, and hard armor, which is rigid, reinforced body armor, and is used in high risk situations by police tactical units and combat soldiers.

A piece of body armor will traditionally be made up of two sections – the outer carrier, and the soft armor inner protective panels. It is important to remember that a carrier without any type of protective panels contained within it will not provide any protection against ballistic, stab or spike attacks.

The outer carrier can be made from a range of materials, and can be available in a range of colors, depending on the users requirements. The soft armor protective panels that are placed within the carrier will provide the protection offered by the body armor, and are normally light weight and flexible. These protective panels are available in a range of levels, and can be designed to defeat a variety of threats.

When a higher level of protection is required then hard armor can also be used in addition to the normal soft armor panels. Hard armor is available in a range of sizes, and can be worn in front of soft armor in specially made pockets on the outer carrier, or in separate hard armor carriers.

A Brief History Of Body Armor

There have been many different forms of body armor in use throughout history. The ancient Greeks used body armor to protect their soldiers, as did the Roman Legions, with examples of their body armor being found that date back to as early as 1400 BC. Around the year 500 BC chain-mail body armor was invented, which provided the wearer with a higher level of protection against attack than previous types of body armor. Made from thousands of iron rings that were linked together, it created a flexible, mesh like barrier that provided a high level of protection against weapons such as spears and swords. It was highly effective against the weapons of the era, but over time chain-mail was improved by adding metal armor plates to provide a higher level of protection for vulnerable parts of the body. Gradually these pieces of plate armor became bigger and more effective, and eventually replaced chain-mail as the main type of body armor that was used by armies around the world.

The introduction of firearms led to developments in the production of body armor, as plate armor was ineffective against high velocity projectiles. This led to the development of heavy duty types of plate armor, which provided a higher level of protection for the wearer, but was also heavier and more restrictive than earlier types of body armor The use of plate armor declined during the 18^th century, as the development in firearms again meant that only the most expensive and heavy types of body armor could provide reliable protection against them. However during the early 20^th century some types of plate armor became popular again with many countries, especially as it proved effective at stopping pieces of shrapnel that often proved deadly on the battlefield. Several countries used different forms of plate armor in both World War I and II, and traditional types of plate armor were worn by U.S. Foot soldiers as late as the Korean and Vietnamese wars.

The biggest development for body armor was in the late 1960′s, when DuPont™ began development of their para-aramid fiber Kevlar®. Lightweight and incredibly strong, Kevlar® allowed manufacturers to develop personal types of body armor that could be worn comfortably for long periods of time, and that also provided protection that could not be matched by any previous forms of body armor Over time other companies also developed their own types of body armor using a variety of revolutionary materials, meaning that body armor become both widely available and also affordable for the first time in history.

Body armor was traditionally used to protect soldiers and military personnel, however the last 25 years has seen an increase in the use of body armor to provide protection for police officers, security guards, door supervisors, ship crew and many others. The increase in gun and knife crime around the world means the use of body armor is now essential in many industries, and rapid developments in body armor means it can now provide a high level of protection against a broad range of day to day threats.

The introduction of lightweight personal body armor means that it’s now commonplace in many industries that previously would not have used body armor For example the increase in sea piracy has led to many shipping companies purchasing pieces of body armor for their crew members, in an effort to provide them with protection against the increased threats that they now face.

Body Armor Designs

Bullet and stab proof vests are generally made to be either covert or overt. A covert bullet proof vest is designed to be worn under clothes, and will often come in light colors They are normally thinner than overt types of bullet proof vests, as they are designed to be invisible when worn under clothes. Overt designs of bullet proof vests are made to be worn over clothes, and are normally produced in dark colors Generally they are made from rugged, hard wearing materials, and will often feature pockets and straps that can be used by the wearer.

It should also be noted that some bullet proof vests can be worn under or over clothes, these are known as covert / overt vests.

The vest carriers of bullet proof vests are designed in a wide range of styles, and are often customized for different uses. For example ambulance staff will have body armor in high visibility covers, and military personnel will have additional neck, groin and arm protection attached to their bullet proof vests. The broad range of covers and accessories available means bullet proof vests can be designed to almost any specification required.

Protection Levels

The protection standards used for body armor will vary from country to country, with many having their own specific tests and standards. However the tests performed by the American NIJ (National Institute of Justice) and the UK HOSDB (Home Office Scientific Development Branch) are considered to be the model standards for body armor around the world, and most countries will recognize the protection levels offered by a piece of body armor that is certified by either of these agencies.

The NIJ are considered to be the industry leaders in ballistic testing methods for body armor, and the HOSDB’s stab and spike tests are thought to be the worlds best. The NIJ and the HOSDB work in conjunction with each other on their testing methods, and a piece of body armor that passes NIJ standards will also pass the equivalent HOSDB standard.

Body armor is designed to protect against 3 broad types of threats – bullet, stab and spike. The protection offered by a piece of body armor will depend on how it is designed. For example some pieces of body armor will provide protection from just ballistic threats, while others will provide protection against bullet and stab attacks, or even bullet, stab and spike based threats.

Each piece of body armor will be clearly labeled with the protection that it provides. The higher the number on the protection, the higher the level of protection it will offer. For example a bullet proof vest that has NIJ Level IIIa protection will provide a higher level of protection than a bullet proof vest with NIJ Level II protection . Please see our protection levels section for more details.

Body Armor Sizing

Body armor comes in a full range of sizes, from small to 5XL. The larger the size, the wider the protective panels of the bullet proof vest will be. Body armor is also designed in different lengths – short, regular and long. A normal piece of body armor is designed to protect only the wearers vital organs, and should reach to the navel area. We recommend that anyone under 5’5 orders a short vest, between 5’6 and 5’11 a regular length vest, and over 6′ a long vest.

Body armor is made in the same way as normal clothing when it comes to sizing. For example a 5’10 man with a 38-40 inch chest and 32-34 inch waist will wear a medium t-shirt, and also a medium, regular length bullet proof vest.

How Does Body Armor Work?

Bullet proof vests

Bullet proof vests are designed to stop a bullet from penetrating them and causing harm to the wearer. They are made up a many layers of incredibly strong fibers, which when hit act as a net that essentially catches the bullet, and prevents it from traveling any further. Each layer twists as the bullet passes through, creating a stronger barrier and slowing the bullet until it comes to a complete stop. This process deforms the bullet, flattening it into a dish shape, and the force of the impact is spread over a large portion of the bullet proof vest.

Obviously the impact of a bullet is massive, and while the bullet proof vest will stop the penetration of the bullet, both the bullet proof vest and the wearer will still absorb the bullets energy. The impact of the bullet may be enough to cause what is known as “blunt force trauma” to the wearer at the impact point. As a bullet proof vest is not solid the bullet will not instantly be stopped by it, it will travel through the vest but not actually penetrate it completely. This means the wearer will still feel the impact of the bullet on their body, and while the blunt force trauma of the bullet will undoubtedly be painful, it should also not be life threatening

Bullet proof vests come in several levels of protection, and are designed to resist most common law and medium energy handgun rounds. If the wearer requires protection against rifle rounds then rigid, hard armor can also be used in conjunction with their bullet proof vest. Hard armor is generally made from ceramics, metal or a combination of both, and are worn in front of the panels on the bullet proof vest. However these plates tend to be heavy and bulky, and so they are generally used only when required in high risk situations.

It is very important to remember that a bullet proof vest is only bullet proof when it contains ballistic panels. A bullet proof vest without ballistic panels is simply a vest, the outer vest cover does not provide any ballistic protection on its own.

The ballistic panels themselves are made in different ways, depending on the individual manufacturer. Some may use a single type of material such as DuPont™ Kevlar®, whilst others may use multiple materials in their construction. The more protection a bullet proof vest offers, the more it will weigh. This is because it will contain more layers of protective material, and some manufacturers will add layers of non-ballistic materials in order to provide additional blunt trauma protection. Because of the different methods of construction used by different manufacturers it is impossible to compare individual ballistic plates, however it is important to note that whilst they may be constructed differently, they all need to pass the same safety checks before they can be sold.

Stab and spike proof vests

A traditional bullet proof vest will provide little to no resistance to an attack from a knife or stabbing instrument, as the fibers that are designed to “catch” the bullet can not disperse the energy of a concentrated stab or spike attack.

Stab and spike proof vests are constructed differently to bullet proof vests, in order to offer resistance to these types of attack. A knife tip will penetrate fabric, which then allows the rest of the cutting surface to rip through the material. A pointed weapon, such as a needle or syringe, will not actually damage the material, rather the point will push through the weave of the fabric and allow the rest of it to follow.

Stab and spike proof vests are made up of materials with a very tight laminated weave, as this prevents threats from piercing the fabric and causing damage. Stab and spike proof vests can be made from tightly woven, heavy duty nylon, however recent trends have led to an increase in multi-threat Kevlar® vests, which offer protection from bullet and stab threats, whilst others offer bullet, stab and spike protection.

It is important to note that not every stab resistant vest will also offer spike protection. If you are going to face spike based threats please ensure you select a vest with additional spike protection.

Body Armor User Guide

What your body armor is NOT

Please be aware that body armor is NOT designed to provide 100% protection against every conceivable threat. Your body armor will provide protection up to its stated levels, so always ensure that you have the correct level of protection for the threats you could face.

Body Armor Maintenance

Cleaning

Body armor should be cleaned straight after wearing using a weak liquid detergent and warm water. Sponge the vest cover, do not immerse the vest in water as this could damage the panels. Do not dry in direct sunlight.

Storage

Body armor should be stored flat when not in use . This will stop creases and wrinkles forming in the ballistic materials.

Washing

Do not wash the Kevlar® inserts, as this could cause damage to the ballistic fibers If required they can be lightly sponged with warm, soapy water. The covers are made from various materials and the washing instructions should be followed.

Damage

Body armor should be visually inspected for damage or excessive wear every time it is worn. Never wear body armor that is damaged in anyway.

Inserting Protective Panels

Bullet, stab and spike proof vests are designed to be worn in a specific direction. It is important that you ensure the ballistic panels within your vest carrier are facing the correct direction at all times. When a bullet strikes a bullet proof vest its impact is absorbed by the many layers of fabric within 3 nanoseconds, caught, and prevented from passing through the vest itself. However this method of stopping a bullet is directional, which means that it works only when the panels are facing in the correct direction. If the panel is facing the wrong way then the web of fibers becomes practically useless, and leaves the wearer open to serious threat.

The same applies to stab and spike proof vests. If the protective panel is facing the wrong way it becomes easier for pointed objects to pass through, as they are not designed to protect against threats from that direction.

All protective panels are clearly marked with the direction they are intended to be worn, and it is important that the wearer ensures they are aware of this at all times. If you remove your vests panels in order to wash the outer carrier then always pay attention when putting the vest back together, and ensure that when the panels are reinserted they are facing the correct direction.

Adjustment

Most bullet proof vests are adjustable at the waist in order to provide the wearer with a well fitted, comfortable vest. Armour should not be worn too tightly as this may increase body heat and restrict movement.

Effects of water and sweat on body armor

The armor we sell is made from aramid fibers and these will lose some of their protective properties if they are totally immersed in water for a long period of time, however this will only be temporary until the armor has dried out. Our body armor will not be affected by rain or sweat.

This article was provided courtesy of SafeGuard ARMOR™. SafeGuard ARMOR™ has been operating for 25 years, selling our body armor to thousands of individuals and companies across the world. Started in 1986, we have grown from a small operation selling bullet proof vests to local companies, to the worldwide leader in body armor. We now manufacture our body armor in the U.S. and Europe, and have multiple distribution points around the world.

SafeGuard ARMOR™ LLC
1925 Timberline Road N19
Fort Collins, CO 80525
(970) 626-6038
info@safeguardarmor.com
http://safeguardarmor.com

California Vehicle Code Section 40008

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), any person who violates Section 21701, 21703, or 23103, with the intent to capture any type of visual image, sound recording, or other physical impression of another person for a commercial purpose, is guilty of a misdemeanor and not an infraction and shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than six months and by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), any person who violates Section 21701, 21703, or 23103, with the intent to capture any type of visual image, sound recording, or other physical impression of another person for a commercial purpose and who causes a minor child or children to be placed in a situation in which the child’s person or health is endangered, is guilty of a misdemeanor and not an infraction and shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year and by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000).

(c) Pursuant to Section 654 of the Penal Code, an act or omission described in subdivision (a) or (b) that is punishable in different ways by different provisions of law shall be punished under the provision that provides for the longest potential term of imprisonment, but in no case shall the act or omission be punished under more than one provision. An acquittal or conviction and sentence under any one provision bars a prosecution for the same act or omission under any other provision.

This new law in the California Vehicle Code is very important and will be referenced by police officers, private investigators, or executive protection agents when an arrest is made for the criminal offense of the misdemeanor. If the private investigator or executive protection agent makes the arrest, it is important that he or she indicate to the police officer that the suspect is being arrested for violation of California Vehicle Code section 40008 (a) or violation of California Vehicle Code section 40008 (b), and not refer to the arrest as a violation of the “paparazzi law.”

In California, a misdemeanor arrest by a police officer without a warrant is permissible only if the public offense occurs in the arresting officer’s presence. Otherwise, the officer may only file a police report, which would then be reviewed by a detective, and upon determining if there was sufficient evidence to support the allegation, a recommendation for prosecution would be forwarded to the district attorney’s office.

If the officer is at the right place at the right time, such as being part of a “sting operation” or responding to a 911 call and arriving at the location in a sufficient amount of time to witness the paparazzi committing the violation, he or she would be able to make the arrest. Unfortunately, in most cases when the officer arrives at the location, the incident has already occurred.

The notion that the police should “round up” the paparazzi or make arrests for violations that were not witnessed by the officer is unlikely to happen. California Penal code 837 authorizes a private citizen, including a private investigator to make an arrest for a misdemeanor committed in his or her presence. This is where the executive protection agents or private investigators hired to protect a celebrity, come into play in having this law enforced. The executive protection agents or private investigators that have gathered and preserved evidence have the option of either having the paparazzi that violated the law arrested on the spot or filing a criminal report with the police department and later having that individual prosecuted. If a decision is made to make an arrest on the spot, the executive protection agents or investigators who have arrived to a safe location, and with vehicles stopped, may apprehend the individual themselves or choose to have the police respond and have them make the apprehension. The arresting party will still be the executive protection agents or the private investigators, and they will appear in court and provide evidence of the offense.

This activity is very similar to what security or loss prevention agents conduct on a regular basis at stores with regards to petty theft, also misdemeanor, and a violation of California Penal Code section 484. Once the theft is conducted in the presence of security, they will apprehend and arrest the individual. The police department will be called to transport the individual to jail. Security will be responsible for providing evidence and testifying in court.

This criminal law is one amendment of many that was made to 1708.8 of the California Civil Code which addresses invasion of privacy issues. Private investigators who may be wondering if any of these amendments or the language used in this anti-paparazzi law hinder the ability of an investigator to conduct surveillance in the performance of his duties, it does not.  The legislation committee of the California Association of Licensed Investigators did a great job working with this bill to have section (g) included, which addresses legitimate investigations conducted by licensed private investigators.

California Vehicle Code section 40008 is not intended to stop paparazzi from conducting their work, and in many cases, the celebrity may welcome their presence. It is intended to stop those individuals who follow a celebrity in a reckless manner with disregard for public safety. If a celebrity feels that while traveling on the road their lives and the lives of their children have been placed in danger by the dangerous actions of the paparazzi, he or she may use this law to stop those actions by hiring a licensed and qualified private investigator that has a complete understanding of the law.

Jesse Martell, CII
Martell Investigations
http://martellpi.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: For more than 18 years, Jesse Martell, President of Martell Investigations has been providing the highest quality of specialized investigations. Jesse Martell has been interviewed and featured in numerous articles about the new anti-paparazzi legislation.

What I have come to learn is that kidnapping is a growing global epidemic with no realistic solution.

By definition kidnapping is “the taking away or transportation of a person against the person’s will, usually to hold the person in false imprisonment, a confinement without legal authority.” This may be done for ransom or in furtherance of another crime, or in connection with a child custody dispute.  Non-custodial parent abductions of children were, by far, the number one type of kidnapping occurring across the globe in 2010 and often does not get included in the most common statistical reporting of abductions.

Kidnapping for ransom is certainly a common occurrence in many parts of the world today (especially in Latin America) and certain countries are often described as the “Kidnapping Capital of the World.” In 2010, Mexico clearly earned the title but very few abductions were for financial gain; it is estimated that over 90% of the kidnappings in Mexico were due to the wars being fought among and between the various drug cartels and the Mexican government. Statistically, nearly all of the victims in Mexico were killed. In 2007, the title “Kidnapping Capital of the World” belonged to Iraq with possibly 1,500 foreigners kidnapped; estimates break that number almost in half between kidnapping for ransom and kidnapping for ideological purposes.  In 2004, Mexico held the title and in 2001, it was Colombia.

How does a kidnapper choose his victim?

Kidnappers tend to develop a profile of their likely target before making an abduction based upon their overall goals, which usually falls into one of three categories: financial gain, extremism or emotional disturbance.

If a kidnapper is going to take a hostage for ransom, he will target the victim based upon an outward appearance of wealth or information given to him from someone who knows the victim intimately, such as a household employee, a bank teller, a waitress at the victim’s favorite restaurant or someone else that suspects that the victim has a lot of cash.

Have you ever inadvertently “flashed” a lot of cash while digging through your wallet or purse to pay for something at the local market? If you are a regular, that sort of gossip tends to get a lot of attention from minimum wage workers and the dollar amounts often gets blown out of proportion the more times the “story of your wealth” gets told!

The good news is that hostage-for-ransom victims tend to survive their ordeal. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or wearing expensive jewelry. Be discrete about how much money you have and where you keep it. Hire domestic employees carefully and do not give your trust to them easily.

Zealots, extremists and terrorists tend to target their victims based upon such things as nationality, ethnicity, religion, social status or organizational affiliation (i.e. employees of a specific company or political party might be targeted). Unfortunately, because the primary aim of these types of abductions is to create sensationalism, be visible or to make a statement, the percentage of hostages that are killed can be quite high.

Strong emotion and mental defect also play a large part in the overall number of kidnappings. The kidnapping of a child by a non-custodial parent or other adult is usually based upon an emotion upheaval created when the kidnapper feels that the child’s welfare and best interests are at risk or that the child will be gone completely from their lives. Non-custodial parent kidnappings also occur out of spite or revenge.  People take hostages during periods of rage and profound loss, too. One classic example is that of a man taking an ex-lover hostage because he is emotionally unable to let go. The feeling of loss festers into the irrational thought that he might be able to convince the victim to reconsider resuming their relationship… if she could just be made to listen. Gender-based kidnappings occur as well; the mentally disturbed who have sexual deviancies often target people just because they are male or female.

There really is nothing one can do to avoid the attention of a would-be kidnapper who is either an extremist or otherwise mentally disturbed. Apply standard personal safety precautions to lessen the chances of becoming a victim; situational awareness is of paramount importance.

Tips for avoiding being kidnapped.

It is critical that you pay attention to your surroundings and maintained a sense of privacy.

If you are a tourist or business traveler dress like the locals. Blending in helps avoid the attention of people who are looking for obvious or lucrative targets.  Avoid wearing extravagant jewelry, expensive clothing, company logoed apparel and religious garb that identifies a specific faith if it is not appropriate for your surroundings. Don’t wear clothing with your name on it – the same applies to your children.  Keep your itinerary and travel plans to yourself!

Are you being watched or followed? Does it appear that you are about to be approached by a stranger or group of strangers? People who are surveilling or following others tend to fixate on their target, which causes them to stare. Personally, I like to spin around really quickly every so often while I am walking just to see who instantly averts their eyes.  Likewise, when I am driving I make a random a series of turns or make two abrupt u-turns to see if I am being tailed.

Targets are especially vulnerable while travelling. An abductor tends to surveil his victim while planning his attack because he is looking for a weakness in the victim’s routine. People get comfortable and settle into a predictable pattern of daily activities from which the abductor can study and choose when and where he will have an advantage over the target and have the least risk of being caught in the act. The best defense against becoming a victim to your own routine is to consciously change your routine every day: Vary the times that you leave and return home. Use several different routes during your daily travels. If you travel by bus, try and limit the amount of time you are waiting at bus stops and only use stops that are well-used during the times you are typically waiting there. Only use clearly-marked and licensed taxis and never except a ride from a stranger.

If you are driving a personal vehicle make sure that it is well-maintained and has plenty of fuel; the last thing you want to have happen is to run out of fuel at night!  You don’t want to become a “target of opportunity” because you are helpless on the side of the road.  Keep your car doors locked and a mobile phone where you can get to it quickly in an emergency.  Don’t be afraid to call for help if you are stranded, uncomfortable or need any type of assistance.

Carry and use a “GPS-aware” mobile phone. It is absolutely possible locate your phone through a process of pinging or triangulation.  Many fugitives and abducted children have been recovered through the use of cell phone pinging by various State and Federal law enforcement agencies. You can learn more about that process at http://pursuitmag.com/locating-mobile-phones-through-pinging-and-triangulation/.

If you have a flat tire or are in an automobile collision (we don’t call them “accidents” because the collision could have been planned) and your vehicle is still operable drive to the nearest public place before exchanging information with the driver. Always call the authorities who are responsible for investigating collisions whether or not the impact felt “minor” if it is dark or you are unfamiliar of with your surroundings.  One important consideration to take into account about your mobile phone: if it is resting untethered on your car’s dash or center console when you are in a vehicle collision the phone will probably be thrown about the car’s interior and can be nearly impossible to find, especially if you are disoriented, injured or the car is badly damaged.

Self-defense classes, personal safety equipment and concealed firearms (where legal) really can make a difference!

Most importantly, darkness and isolation are tools that abductors leverage to their best advantage! Concealment offers him the ability to catch a victim off-guard with very little chance of interference from bystanders.  If you must be alone, remain in well-lit places with a lot of people around.

What to do if you are being abducted:

Fight your abductors like your life depends on it and make as much of a commotion for as long as you are able. Oftentimes an attacker will give up if there is a perceived risk that the attacker might be hurt or caught during the process or if you are more trouble than you are worth. The longer you can drag out the instance of being abducted, the better your odds become of avoiding the eventuality of the attacker’s success. If you believe that you are the victim of a hate crime, a target of an extremist or are being moved to facilitate a violent sexual act against you, then you MUST fight with everything you’ve got. Your chances of survival after being moved under these circumstances are almost zero percent.  Personally, I would rather die at that moment and location where I had a chance of survival than be drug away where I do not; the probability of an excruciatingly painful death is almost certain, too.

Screaming “Fire!” is better than screaming an unintelligible sentence like, “Help, I’m being kidnapped!” and do it in the language spoken by likely bystanders or others who may hear you; for example, you’ll want to know the correct words or phrases in Spanish if you are in Latin or Central America. Learn and practice those words and phrases ahead of time.

If you are subdued and can no longer fight or scream, stop struggling and calm down. You need to be able to think rationally and strategically. You must clear your head of the clouding effects of adrenaline. If you believe that you are the victim of a hostage-for-ransom scheme, then work with them through negotiations and giving them points of contact. People often die while trying to escape; the longer you remain in captivity the better chance you have of eventually being freed or rescued.

Be overly courteous to your abductors and mind your manners! Don’t argue with, complain to, or threaten your captors. Listen to them when they speak and follow their instructions if you are not in imminent danger.

If your abductors let you speak, do so in a gentle voice.  Project humility and gain empathy; talk with your captors in a manner that might suggest you understand their circumstances and the reasons that led them to target you because “you are human and face difficult situations as well.” Find commonality, sports, children, religion, shared experiences, etc., and convince them that there is no real reason to hurt you physically. If you are unclear as to your captor’s motive for taking you, then you might suggest that you are worth more alive than dead to buy you some time.

If you learn the abductor’s name, your location or potential plans DO NOT use their name or talk about them unless they shared that information with you directly. There is no need to make the situation worse because you “know too much.”

Do not tell your captors anything that will endanger the lives of others or that can be used against you to further their crime.

Most importantly, retain your sense of dignity and self-worth. Maintain your hygiene the best you are able. Find religion and pray regularly; studies have shown that people who pray regularly and thoughtfully have higher confidence levels, elevated endorphin and serotonin levels within the body and are able to deal with traumatic experiences more effectively. P.O.W.s have often related that prayer emboldened their spirit and maintained their will to live.

The U.S. Secret Service, backed up by three studies over a period of 15 years and published in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin (3/06), indentified the following visual cues indicating a person may be carrying a concealed weapon:

Behavioral Traits

In all three aforementioned studies, none of the criminal offenders interviewed used a holster and male offenders reported regularly carrying handguns in the middle torso area; more specifically they tended to tuck the firearm into their right front waistband, between their navel and hip, in order maintain the gun’s accessibility.  One researcher noted that, “They see guns put there in the movies, it’s ‘cool,’ and they can easily show their buddies or enemies that they’re armed.”  One city law enforcement agency conducting their own study noted that of the 1,301 guns confiscated from suspects, only seven of them were wearing holsters.  The second most common hiding place is the small of the back – but it is a distant second place.

Concealed firearms tend to be carried on the person’s “strong side,” which is to say on the same side as their dominant hand.  Is the subject left-handed or right-handed?  Typically, wristwatches are worn on the weak arm and, generally, people use their strong hand for most actions like lighting cigarettes, shoving someone, holding or moving objects, etc.  Even in the absence of confirming visual clues, you can count on approximately 85% of the people in the world being right handed.  Knowing a person’s strong side gives the observer a better chance of locating a hidden gun quickly.

Walking with a concealed, unholstered handgun requires subjects to occasionally touch their firearms to prevent the gun from moving or to adjust the weapon after it moves.  This movement is often referred to by law enforcement instructors as the “security feel” and becomes most notable whenever individuals change body positions, such as standing, sitting, or exiting a car because the unholstered gun tends to shift, causing the subject to adjust or reposition the weapon to the preferred position.  When a subject runs, their actions may appear more pronounced; constantly gripping the handgun to maintain control.

An academy instructor for the U.S. Secret Service uniformed division recently shared the following tip online, “Closely related to the security feel is what I call ‘protective body movement.’ This is particularly noticeable when an armed subject is running or moving abruptly; he holds his arm against the concealed weapon, either stiffly or with a very restrained swing. Even if the suspect is just walking, you may see that he takes a full stride with his opposite-side foot but the gun-side stride will be shorter, almost like a limp in some cases because he’s trying to clamp the gun in place and minimize its slipping or its risk of falling out. The arm may also come in against the gun as a protective movement when people start getting close to the suspect.”

“Watch females who are with bikers and other street gangs,” one police officer cautioned, “many times they carry for the male members, capitalizing on the fact that too many people tend to dismiss females as a threat.”

The studies also concluded that “the majority of female offenders who carried their own weapon preferred small-framed revolvers or automatic pistols. Their preferred place of concealment was in a pocket of their outer clothing, with quick retrieval as their primary concern. Females often carried a weapon for a male companion prior to or after criminal activity. But, interestingly, no female offender reported giving her weapon to anyone to carry for her.”

Basic law enforcement training teaches officers to keep their gun-side away from individuals during street contacts or interviews.  It is widely accepted that armed criminals do the same in encounters with law enforcement professionals to ensure concealment and easy access to their firearms.  As one offender in the study noted, “If they’re on that side of me, they can’t see it. I can also get to it quicker if I need to. Because they can’t see what I’m reaching for, I get that extra second.”

Additional physical behaviors may include “palming,” which is most often observed in subjects concealing edged weapons but occasionally seen with gun wielders, too.  The knife holder may run the blade of the weapon up along the arm or behind the leg to conceal it from frontal view. Just before a target is attacked, an attacker will also typically have his or her eyes fixed on the intended victim.  Palming behaviors often indicate imminent risk to the recovery agent!

I remember one situation in particular when I found a gun in the coat pocket of a fugitive I was chasing through a house that I distinctly heard the sound of the gun hitting a door frame and then coming to rest on a countertop when I had him leaned forward and placing him in handcuffs.  It was obvious by the heavy, solid thud that there was a large metal object in his pocket.

Clothing Indicators

The most obvious giveaway is the telltale bulges in a subject’s clothing.  A gun is not flexible and doesn’t conform well to the shape of the human body, so it may reveal itself in the form of a protrusion.  While the entire firearm may not be outlined, tight clothing may reveal bumps that relate to a hammer, grip or muzzle.  This distortion of the subject’s silhouette is often referred to as “patterning” or “imprinting.”  When trying to conceal a shotgun, rifle or submachine gun under a coat while walking, the butt of the weapon will often cause a noticeable bulge behind the armpit. Additionally, the jacket does not move naturally because it is supported by the outline of the weapon.  When someone wears a shoulder holster or straps on a sawed-off rifle, shotgun or submachine gun under his or her arm, a bulge in front of or behind the armpit will often be visible.

Specific observations regarding a person’s attire may indicate that the individual is armed.  These may include, but are not limited to, what individuals are wearing during various weather conditions, as well as accessory items and unconventional weapons designed and manufactured for concealment that they may carry. Clothing concealment techniques are used by people to hide firearms and other weapon; for example, an un-tucked shirt or buttoned sports jacket are two examples of techniques used to conceal dangerous objects with clothing.  These characteristics may not always be obvious though as casual dress with un-tucked shirts is quite common.  Even though an un-tucked shirt may hide a firearm, in and of itself, it is not a good indicator.  An investigator must judge the concealment characteristics in the context of the environment they are in. With clothing, visual screener need only simply ask, “Does what I see match the surroundings?”

Warm Weather Conditions

Is the individual dressed inappropriately for existing weather and temperature conditions?  A person who attempts to conceal a weapon may wear or carry additional clothing other than that which is required or appropriate considering the outside temperature and humidity.  This suspicious behavior is particularly observable in warm weather.  Why would an individual wear a jacket, sweatshirt, sweater, raincoat, or overcoat on a bright sunny day when others are dressed in short-sleeved shirts?  Is the individual wearing multilayered clothing, such as two shirts or a pair of sweatpants over a pair of jeans, on a hot day?  Similarly, why does a man wearing a shirt and tie, suit pants, and dress shoes have his shirttail hanging out?  Less obvious are individuals in casual attire with their shirttails outside their pants.  Such inappropriate apparel can cover areas of the body where criminals frequently conceal firearms.

Obviously, it is easier visually detect firearms on individuals dressed appropriately for warm weather.  At-risk individuals should look for unnatural protrusions or bulges in the waist, back, and crotch areas and watch for less conspicuous cues, such as shirts that appear rippled or wavy on one side of the body while the fabric on the other side appears smooth.  Many offenders in the three studies revealed that they purposely transported weapons in their crotch areas as much for concealment as the reluctance of officers to thoroughly search this location.

Cold and Inclement Weather Conditions

Are individuals with a coat, raincoat, or jacket draped over their arms unnecessarily exposing themselves to the elements?  What about those wearing a hooded jacket or coat in the rain or snow without the hood covering the head?  One offender stated that he had several friends who carried firearms in their jacket hoods. Does a loose-hanging hood seem weighted down, causing the drawstring to pucker?  Also, in periods of extremely cold weather, why would people not button or zip up their jackets or heavy coats?  Could it be that they want quick access to a firearm?

When individuals have on jackets and coats, are these pieces of clothing visibly weighted to one side, giving the appearance of an unusually heavy object in the pocket?  Normally, personal items such as wallets, keys, and cell phones do not weigh enough to cause a pocket to hang substantially lower than the one on the opposite side– but large caliber guns favored by street thugs typically do.  When the subject walks or runs, does his coat or jacket bounce off his leg as if something heavy is in the pocket?

Accessories and Other Items Carried

In cold weather conditions, individuals may have a hand warmer attached to their clothing or person in some manner.  If these people appear to have been outside for some time, why are their hands not inside the device?  If they have gloves on, why do they need the hand warmer?  Does it exhibit ripples or waves in the fabric, giving the appearance of containing a heavy object?

What about individuals carrying such items as purses, knapsacks, fanny packs, soft briefcases, gym bags, folded-over newspapers, or paper bags that appear out of place?  Do these articles display a protrusion?  Is the outline of the frame of a handgun or a partial contour, such as the barrel or butt, visible?  If a subject seems to have a wallet in his pocket but is wearing a fanny pack, then what’s in the fanny pack?  Does it appear weighted with a heavy object?  Most types of fanny packs can conceal a handgun and many are purposes-built with a draw string or other quick-release closure method added for rapid access to a handgun.

One of the most important concepts of visual weapons screening is behavior clusters; the totality of circumstances will dictate the degree of likelihood of an individual being armed. When evaluating any individual for the possibility of a concealed firearm it is important to take into account their behavior “in context” as well!  Wearing inappropriate clothing could be completely explainable, depending on the circumstances and surroundings. For example, a traveler who just arrived from a colder climate may have on an overcoat on a warm sunny day.  Perhaps, the person has to carry luggage, making it necessary to temporarily wear the coat.  This individual may be near an airport, train terminal, bus station, or subway or in the process of hailing a taxicab.  Under these circumstances, the observation of inappropriate clothing for existing weather conditions probably would not constitute a clear indicator that the person may be concealing a firearm because such behavior could be completely understandable.  Alert investigators, however, may use these indicators as a reason to take a second, closer look and notice a slight bulge or protrusion or other physical behavior trait that confirms their suspicions.

Unconventional Firearms and Disguised Weapons

Fugitive recovery agents need to remain vigilant for a separate class of firearms designed for concealment. Generally constructed without sights, these weapons, referred to as “belly guns,” usually are inaccurate unless fired at a very close range. Manufacturers also have produced handguns and other weapons intentionally disguised as other objects, including pens, pagers, cell phones, belt buckles, and wallets. Thugs have related that they possessed such weapons to use against anyone who may overlook them during arrest or transport situations. The use of a hand-held magnetometer can assist in detecting these types of handguns and other potentially dangerous metal instruments, such as knives and razors.

Click here for a disguised weapons manual circulated among law enforcement professionals.

Click here for a second guide to additional unconventional hidden and concealed weapons.

Click here for real guns disguised as toys.

Studies indicate that there is no reliable profile of the people who carry and use weapons unlawfully; they are white, Latino, Asian every other race and ethnicity. They are male or female. They wear expensive clothing, including tailored suits, and they are from all socioeconomic classes. It is paramount that all subjects under your control, including those of the opposite sex, be searched for concealed weapons using optimum frisking and location techniques. Recovery agents must remain vigilant and constantly remind themselves that a recovery of a weapon from a suspect should never prohibit the continued search of the subject for additional weapons.

Use these tell-tales as a way to make you conscious of your own actions while wearing a concealed weapon as well.  Many investigators who I know carry concealed firearms tend to share many of the same habits, behavior traits and modes of dress discussed in this article. To a knowing individual, you may unconsciously telegraph your armed status in situations where it is best that the presence of a weapon remain concealed such as in an undercover workplace investigation or while conducting field interviews under some pretext.

Knowledge, awareness, clear thinking, and finely honed skills of observation may give investigators an advantage when confronting bail fugitives or their accomplices who may display the specific and unique signals indicating the presence of a firearm or other concealed weapon.  However, the absence of such traits and characteristics should never mean that a bail agent should let his or her guard down while in the presence of the fugitive and his or her associates.  At the end of the day, we all want to go home safely.

Be careful out there.

This article was written by L. Scott Harrell and is posted courtesy IRBseach, LLC.

IRBsearch offers The Most information, The Best data sources, and The Fastest delivery for locating people, businesses, and their assets. With one click you can search billions of records in just a fraction of a second.

Jay Rosenzweig can relate. He’s a private investigator from Woodland Hills, CA. His problem is data-related.

“I have to memorize 40 different passwords,” he said.

He runs birthparentfinder.com but he also has several Ad Sense accounts, a Facebook I.D., Yahoo I.D., attorney e-mail and web master responsibility for 20 different sites.

“That’s my dilemma,” he said.

Onlookers would suggest the same password for each account but it’s easy to compromise. That was clear after hackers broke into his ATM and got his password and user I.D.

“You’ve got to write it down,” he said about passwords. “Try not to keep it in your computer. If you want to hack into someone’s account, all you need is their date of birth,” he added, or “your mother’s maiden name.”

Memory can be hard to understand. Jay sees that in his own life.

“What do you remember?” he asked. “Good things, bad things… things that embarrass you.”

He recently got a fraud case and smiled when he looked at the name of the woman who was being investigated; she was a client of Jay’s back in 1988.

“This lady wrote a letter praising my efforts to my boss,” he recalled, “a thank you.”

Now she was being investigated for insurance fraud.

“I saved it,” he said about the thank you note. It helped later when he was applying for another job and used her letter as a reference. “I thought this lady was a saint,” he said.

Detail Delimma…

Walter Metcalf sees a connection with time. He’s a private investigator in Bangor, ME.

“In many situations, details come very fast and it becomes a challenge to separate the ‘wheat from the chaff’.” he said.

He’s learned to “recap” after interviews of meetings.

“I use a micro-cassette recorder and basically ‘ramble’ using my notes and thoughts trying to cover all the basic points or elements of the investigation,” Walter explained.

That backfired in a large insurance fraud investigation. Walter had to interview a lot of people and page through documents.

“I made my ‘rambling’ dictated notes into my recorder after each meeting or day,” he recalled. “Over the course of the investigation I probably had twenty tapes going with various pieces of information on each tape.”

He then created a written report after each segment and put his cassette tapes into the file but a later court action discovered his reports and documents.

“All my thoughts, suspicions, swearing, and often irrelevant points were given to the opposing councils,” he said. “Some of my ‘thoughts and suspicions’ were thrown back into my face,” he said about his testimony. “I was able to justify and defend my ‘rambling notes and thoughts’ successfully,” he remembered but now he tells other investigators to always destroy original notes after the final report is completed.

Writing Helps But…

Bob J. Wilson is a private investigator in Sahuarita, AZ and has a deep suspicion of his ability to remember.

“I DO NOT TRUST anything to my memory,” he said. “I always keep a pen, paper, and camera close to me and write down everything I see, with time and date, and if I can, photo it. It is amazing the things you later see in a photo that you never noticed with your eyes at the time of observation…people, cars, etc…” he added.

Bob keeps a small recorder when he can’t recall all of the details; that helps with exact information like addresses, license plates and interviews.

“The older you get the more jumbled your memory gets…” he said.

Rollie McCarter agrees; he’s an investigator in Holyoke, MA, and he sees the need to record (in audio or video) all of his encounters.

“When you return back to your office, in order to prepare your written report for your client, you’ll have a complete story to tell,” he tells other investigators. “When writing your report, you must allow your reader(s) to feel as though they were actually there, by providing all necessary details, whether big or small.”

Danny Horton takes that one step further. He owns Horton’s Investigative Services in Iuka, MS, and uses a digital tape recorder for “measurements on an accident or crime scene, taking statements, or just notes.” but back at the office, Danny downloads his notes on a computer and transcribes it with a free program called “NCH Swift Sound” and adds those notes to his file.

“Handwritten notes are not reliable because of several factors,” he added, “poor handwriting, weather, and being rushed. I prefer a digital recorder over the tape recorders because they are more reliable and have a much larger capacity,” he tells other investigators.

Practice Can Help…

Jeffrey A. Williams, CPP, takes a different approach. He’s President and Managing Director of Orion Support Incorporated (OSI) in Manila, Philippines; he’s also a retired Counterintelligence Officer with U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI). During the Cold War he worked against various foreign hostile intelligence services. His “sources” would visit with their foreign intelligence “handlers” and then return for a thorough debriefing.

“Memory played a very important role in that activity,” Jeff recalled. “We required our sources to remember as much as possible as to what they saw during their meetings in the East.”

Their approach included practice. Jeff would prepare a serving tray with a “number” of unrelated objects on it. Then he would “cover it with a towel and bring the source into the room” where he would sit at the table where the serving tray rested. Jeff would then pull the towel off the tray for five seconds only.

“Thereafter, the source would then have to write down everything he remembered seeing on the tray for those five seconds,” Jeff explained. “We would do this over and over, which resulted in their improved memory.”

Jeffrey B. Daughtry expanded that approach in McDonough, Georgia. He’s president of Daughtry Investigative Services and recently saw the need for that focused details in recall. He had a domestic surveillance case that “rapidly escalated” to a corporate scandal involving multiple court appearances, sworn testimonies, and memory recall.

“Even the slightest signs of uncertainty would have ruined my client’s likelihood of claiming what was rightfully hers,” Jeffrey said. “Without a series of devices at my disposal to recall technical and specific details I would have failed miserably at the expense of another’s future financial stability.”

Jeffrey is a former U.S. ARMY Sergeant and remembers the shout of “SPORTS” on the rifle range whenever you needed to clear a weapon jam.

“Slap magazine, Pull charging handle, Observe chamber for ejection, Release charging handle, Tap forward assist, and Shoot,” he recalled. “While minor variations of this acrostic exist, ultimately we all have the same goal in mind,” he said.

A Need to Remember…

Allen Wolak understands the need, he’s a private investigator in Hobart, IN. Approximately 18 years ago, he worked on a criminal defense case for a man who was convicted of a murder and had gone through all of his appeals.

“All of our information showed the defendant was innocent, including the fact that none of the evidence at the case was his, and that the defendant was out of town at the time of the murder,” Allen explained. “This information was brought to the attention of the parole board who agreed that the defendant seemed to be innocent.”

The defendant ended up serving the rest of his time and eventually got out of prison on good behavior. Then 15 years passed by.

Allen ended up at a seminar for public defenders and criminal defense investigators when he overheard some attorneys talking about a case.

“After listening to what they were talking about, I heard them mention that the person that was murdered had been laundering money for the mob with gold coins,” Allen added. “I asked the attorneys for the name of the case they were talking about and it turned out to be the same case that I had worked on 15 years ago,” Allen said. “After 15 years, I still remembered the photographs that were introduced as evidence and in several of the photographs, there were gold coins strewn about the victim’s house.”

The details came back to Allen’s memory including the injustice of seeing an innocent man sent to prison.

“The one attorney that was an investigator for the case admitted to me that they always knew that my client was innocent,” said Allen. “However, they needed someone to pin this murder on because of public outcry and that they had phone records of my client being in another town at the time the murder was committed. This former Investigator has come forward and is willing to testify on his findings,” said Allen. “My case is now in the process of being re-opened after all of these years.”

Clay Renick is a freelance feature writer from Statesboro, GA and has written many articles related to private investigation.

Proper use of this basic principle in all investigative processes not only helps develop solutions to difficult questions, but it teaches investigators who use it to reason analytically in each step of their investigation. Skip tracers must use a certain pattern of thought to lead from one step to the next. Leaving out steps due to preconceived notions, are a disservice to a skip tracer’s work. It is necessary to use good, sound, methodology to ensure success. Above all else, the powers of observation are integral to what we do.

American jurist William Wirt once said, “Perhaps there is no property in which men are more distinguished from each other, than in the various degrees in which they possess the faculty of observation. The great herd of mankind pass their lives in listless inattention and indifference as to what is going on around them, while those who are destined to distinction have a lynx-eyed vigilance that nothing can escape.”

The fictional detective Sherlock Holmes is a familiar character with notoriously astute powers of observation. In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes story, “The Red-Headed League”, Holmes states the following about Jabez Wilson, whom he has just met, “Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual labor, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has been to China, and that he has done a considerable amount of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else.” After a single glance, Holmes was able to deduce all these points about Wilson. He stated of his method of detection, “You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of trifles.” Holmes also said to Dr. Watson, “Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring you to realize the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of thumbnails, or the great issues that may hang from a bootlace.” Holmes was a proponent of the basic theorem that everything is significant.

How does a person become an effective observer? The first way is consciously practicing the discipline of looking and remembering. Effective observation depends on a properly trained memory. In an investigation, vision is worthless if not retained. Your own powers of observation are just as important while conducting a missing persons investigation as in any other complex assignment. In your search for the subject you may come across a great deal of information that may not readily be deduced as important. I have both caught and missed glaring examples of what we in the business would call a clue; I really hate it when I miss the obvious importance of small bits of information especially when I am looking over the same tidbits of information for the second or third time. In these moments, I have to tell myself to slow down, take a deep breath and actually see everything I am looking at. Additionally, I like to ask myself questions in order to focus.

Do all of the information and personal identifiers I have collected match? What am I missing that’s important? Have I been through all of my sources? Have I followed a well prepared plan or checklist? Etc., Etc.

By focusing in this way I have picked up on very subtle clues which positively contribute to the funnel process we’ve previously discussed: missed references and emergency contact information, addresses and postmarks on envelopes, account numbers and addresses on checks previously sent to the client by a debtor, the “dealer badge” or license plate frame on the back of a car, caller ID information, license plates, vehicles or obvious location information found in photographs… the list goes on and on.

I remember a case I had a few years ago, I was looking for a bail jumper and had developed an investigative file on him that filled three file folders and at least 50 investigator hours. The bail jumper had failed to appear for court on at least four other occasions. I was sure that I had been through every speck of information at least several times and I was at an absolute stand-still on the assignment. Exasperated and needing a new perspective, I handed the file to my wife who went through it once and pointed out a small hand written address at the bottom of a page in the bond release paperwork that the skip had signed prior to being released from jail. I guess I glossed over the address, but sure enough the address was different from every other address with which I had followed up and should have been obvious that I missed it. I drove by the residence and the subject was out front washing his car (it ended up being his residence) and I closed the assignment about 30 seconds later.

Incidentally, the bail bondsman said that afternoon that the cosigner had called him at least half a dozen times wanting to know how I found the defendant. It would appear that they knew what they were doing and that they had learned from prior mistakes- he and his cosigner (his girlfriend) were professional runners. I imagine that in his haste to complete his paperwork and get out of the “cross bar hotel,” the defendant messed up just once- which in the end was all that I needed to find him (not to mention my more observant wife). This brings me to another valid point… never tell a skip or other runner how you found them… it only makes it harder on the next guy if the subject has to be found again.

Call it professional courtesy.

The important take-away here is that we all need to improve our own powers of observation in an effort to be better investigators. Slowing down, looking over the information with a fresh perspective and realizing that nothing is insignificant.

Having the right tools and never giving up doesn’t hurt either.

It really does not matter if you are working in a rural or urban area, I guarantee you will have, or already have had, many dealings with dogs. Caution should be taken with every dog you encounter, no matter where you are and no matter what breed they may be.

The Humane Society, animal control officers and personal injury attorneys continue to warn of the dangers on exactly how aggressive dogs can be; millions of people are attacked by dogs every year in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control:

• Each year about 4.7 million people are victims of dog bites; of these, 800,000 people receive medical treatment and 6,000 are hospitalized.
• 10-20 people a year die as a result of dog bites.
• Between 1979 and 1998, there were 238 reported fatalities where breed of dog involved was noted.
• 58% involved unrestrained dogs on the owner’s property.
• 24% involved unrestrained dogs off the owner’s property.
• 25 different breeds and mixes were involved in these attacks.
• Pitbulls and Pit-mixes were responsible for 76 deaths.
• Rottweiler and Rottweiler-mixes are responsible for 44 deaths.
• Pits and Rottweiler breeds are responsible for 67% of all fatal dog attack

In order to prevent becoming a dog bite statistic it is important to be prepared in the field by understanding a dog’s body language, why they attack and how to avoid an attack.

Many people are bitten or attacked by dogs because they tend to misread the dog’s intentions, body language or simply react the wrong way when the dog approaches them. When a dog feels threatened this is really a natural defensive instinct. Dogs defend their territory, plain and simple. They feel threatened when you come into their personal space.

What can you do to prevent being bitten?

Again, reading and understanding a dog’s body language is vital and can tell us whether or not they are being friendly or playful, fearful, submissive, dominant, aggressive or predatory.

Here are some great tips on preventing a dog attack:

• Don’t sneak up or a surprise a dog.
• When approaching an area where a dog may be, announce yourself and make some noise.
• Always check the area for signs that a dog may be living there: look for a doghouse, chain, rope, dog toys or the popular BEWARE OF DOG SIGN.
• Approach the premise in a deliberate and non-threatening manner.
• If the dog approaches you turn sideways to the dog.
• Never reach out or lean over the dog.
• Don’t make direct eye contact; this is threatening to a canine and an act of aggression.
• Attempt to give the dog some sort of command. In a calm, firm voice try saying “go” or “sit.”
• If the dog eventually loses interest in you, back away slowly until you are at a safe distance from the dog.
• Of course, doing anything stupid to provoke or intimidate the dog will guarantee aggressive behavior from the dog. Do not “challenge” the dog or taunt it.
• Never put yourself between the dog and its escape route or your possible escape route.

All dog bites are not the same! To measure the degree of severity of the bite, Dr. Ian Dunbar a veterinarian, animal behaviorist and writer has created the following chart/guide on bite “levels:”

• Level 1: This bite does not touch the skin. The dog is air biting or snapping.
• Level 2: This bite makes contact with the skin, but doesn’t break the skin. Pain and bruising may result, but no abrasions will be visible.
• Level 3: This bite ranges from a one to three punctures in a single bite with one puncture less than ½ the depth of the eye-tooth (fang) with or without some tearing.
• Level 4: The dog is putting great pressure into the bite. 1 to 4 puncture wounds with or without tearing, more than ½ the depth of the eye tooth. This is usually accompanied with bruising and likely to require medical attention. These injuries suggest the dog grabbed and shook what was in its mouth.
• Level 5: Multiple level 4 bites. This dog is usually beyond the ability to reason and may feel his/her life is threatened.
• Level 6: The dog has killed.

If you are being attacked:

• Attempt “feeding” it anything you may have on you: your jacket, clipboard or a treat. I carry dog treats in my car at all times!
• Don’t yell, scream or run. This will alarm them and may provoke a greater level of aggression.
• If possible, find a safe place to retreat- like your vehicle, behind a fence or in a tree.
• If the dog knocks you off your feet and onto the ground, curl into a fetal position and protect your face and head. Use anything that you may have in your possession to barrier yourself between you and the dog. Do not fight back or antagonize the dog.
• Remain as frozen or motionless as possible until the dog loses interest in you.

After the Attack:

As with any other injury, applying first aid techniques quickly are essential and having a first aid kit in your car is vital.

• Wash the bite wound with soap and water.
• If the dog broke the skin and you are bleeding, stop the bleeding by putting pressure on the wound and then clean the wound.
• Disinfect the bite wound by applying hydrogen peroxide, iodine or alcohol and cover the wound with a bandage.
• Visit your doctor or go to the emergency room within 24 hours of the initial dog bite.
• If your skin was broken you are more than likely going to have to get a Tetanus shot.
• Your doctor may also prescribe an antibiotic to ensure you do not get an infection.
• The possibility of contracting Rabies will also have to be considered and may involve a report to Animal Control Officers.

If your wound is not properly treated a dog bite can develop into an infection or even something more serious. Report the bite immediately to the local animal control shelter so they can investigate the incident.

The bottom line is… BE CAREFUL! The hard truth is that not every pet owner treats their pets the way they should; have you ever watched “Animal Cops” on television? There are thousands and thousands of underfed, abused and aggressively raised dogs. Even the cutest teacup sized dog might try to bite your hand off.

Be prepared.

This article is posted courtesy IRBseach, LLC.

IRBsearch offers The Most information, The Best data sources, and The Fastest delivery for locating people, businesses, and their assets. With one click you can search billions of records in just a fraction of a second.

This is the guy or gal who always seem to know where they are going next, who everyone in the room is and, acts as a 21st century “Radar O’Reilly” of MASH fame. They hardly ever get introduced, but they are usually within arms length of the protectee or principle. With a cell phone positioned to their ear, they are often be preparing advanced routes and making other arrangements. Low profile and alert. Continually checking the exits and entrances. Lately, the trend is to receive “certification” in personal protection or executive protection to validate the competence of the protector. This is certainly a start, since many so-called bodyguards have little or no actual training. Some may be ex-police/military/PI’s/chauffeurs, etc, but few have had formal education in the basic skills necessary for the job. Fewer still have a realistic idea of what the job is all about. I have seen far too many believe that the role is to be the enforcer or muscle for their client. There are others who believe that being the wall that will provide “cover” for the boss is what they get paid for. There was a documentary on television a few years ago called the “Bullet Catchers.” It was an interesting, but incomplete, look at the bodyguard industry. Using the U.S. Secret Service and some high-end private firms as a foundation, these programs paint a picture of well choreographed professionalism. The fact that they seemed to have an unlimited supply of bodies and logistical equipment certainly helps them perform their mission. However, even with the manpower and other precautions, a well focused and determined bad guy can, and have done so, penetrate these defenses. One who studies these attacks on high profile clients can often see that the bodyguards are usually targets as well. Often, they are the primary target, since they are the biggest obstacle to success. Maybe “Bullet Catcher” is less accurate than “Bullet Magnet.”

It is not unusual, nor inappropriate, to use a show of force as a deterrent to attack. Entertainers who often wade into a crowd in order to be seen will often have a few huge men standing around them in order to discourage anyone from getting too close to them. You can be sure, however, with a professionally trained team, that an equal number of low profile protectors are within close range coordinating the movements. Next time you see a VIP or politician ( I don’t always equate the two), see if you can spot the protection team leader. Hint: Don’t look directly at the protectee.

For those who ask me about the field of personal protection, I find that most have the same romantic view of the profession that youngsters have of being a police officer. They want to help, protect, and make money doing an exciting job. I’m usually asked about firearms training, martial arts and driving skills required for the job. If those were the biggest qualifications for the job, there would be an endless pool of candidates returning from the military. Unfortunately, the mental aspects of providing protection and safety for a client are exhausting. Imagine spending a day, a week, months or longer making sure that your protectee doesn’t trip, have an embarrassing moment in public, or appear at a meeting late. Looking out for any and all possible dangers, as well as delays caused by vehicle trouble or bad weather. Does he or she have a change of clothing if needed? How about prescription medications or even water?

Takes a lot of the glamor right out of the job, doesn’t it?

Jerry MacCauley PPS, CST, is the Assistant Training Director with Sexton Executive Security, Inc. of Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC. After a 29 year law enforcement career, Jerry is now retired and specializes in training for Personal Protection Services (EP) as well as developing programs for individuals and corporations concerned with personal security issues. His blog and programs can be found at www.personalprotectionconcepts.info

Body armor is classified by the NIJ (National Institute of Justice) as Levels I, IIA, II, IIIA, III, and IV. Each level has been tested and certified by the NIJ to stop the penetration of a particular ammunition caliber and mass, traveling at various muzzle velocities at an industry standard 5 meters (for types I thru IIIA) and 15 meters for III and IV. (I’m not going to go into angle of penetration of fired test rounds, backing material or construction.) Some materials are also submitted for stab resistance (using the “California Ice Pick Method”)

Here is a basic outline for the minimum standards for each:

Type I (22 LR; 38 Special)
This armor protects against 22 Long Rifle High Velocity lead bullets, with nominal masses of 2.6 g (40 gr) impacting at a velocity of 320 m (1050 ft) per second or less, and 38 Special round nose lead bullets, with nominal masses of 10.2 g (158 gr) impacting at a velocity of 259 m (850 ft) per second or less. It also provides protection against most handgun rounds in calibers 25 and 32.

Type II-A (Lower Velocity 357 Magnum; 9 mm)
This armor protects against 357 Magnum jacketed soft point bullets, with nominal masses of 10.2 g (158 gr) impacting at a velocity of 381 m (1250 ft) per second or less, and 9 mm full metal jacketed bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr) impacting at a velocity of 332 m (1090 ft) per second or less. It also provides protection against threats such as 45 Auto., 38 Special +P and some other factory loads in caliber 357 Magnum and 9 mm, as well as the threats mentioned in lower levels.

Type II (Higher Velocity 357 Magnum; 9 mm)
This armor protects against 357 Magnum jacketed soft point bullets, with nominal masses of 10.2 g (158 gr) impacting at a velocity of 425 m (1395 ft) per second or less, and 9 mm full jacketed bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr) impacting at a velocity of 358 m (1175 ft) per second or less. It also provides protection against most other factory loads in caliber 357 Magnum and 9 mm, as well as the threats mentioned in lower levels.

Type III-A (44 Magnum; Submachine Gun 9 mm)
This armor protects against 44 Magnum, lead semi-wadcutter bullets with gas checks, nominal masses of 15.55 g (240 gr) and impacting at a velocity of 426 m (1400 ft) per second or less, and 9 mm full metal jacketed bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr) impacting at a velocity of 426 m (1400 ft) per second or less. It also provides protection against most handgun threats, as well as the threats mentioned in lower levels.

Type III ( High-Powered Rifle)
This armor protects against 7.62 mm full metal jacketed bullets (U.S. military designation M80), with nominal masses of 9.7 g (150 gr) impacting at a velocity of 838 m (2750 ft) per second or less. It also provides protection against threats such as 223 Remington (5.56 mm FMJ), 30 Carbine FMJ, and 12 gauge rifled slug, as well as the threats mentioned in lower levels.

Type IV (Armor-Piercing Rifle)
This armor protects against 30 caliber armor-piercing bullets (U.S. military designation APM2), with nominal masses of 10.8 g (166 gr) impacting at a velocity of 868 m (2850 ft) per second or less. It also provides at least single hit protection against the threats mentioned in lower levels.

SO in answer to your question, you must consider several factors.

a) Many police departments choose the type and level of vests by what type and caliber of handgun their officers carry! If someone takes your weapon from you, your vest should provide protection against it.

b) Typically, the higher the classification level (greater protection) the heavier the vest will be. Heavy bulky vests become a burden and you will eventually just stop wearing it because it is uncomfortable to wear. Types IIIA, III and IV clearly cannot be worn for a full day.

c) What threats do you expect to encounter and at what distances? In this business, and someone correct me if I am wrong, hazardous situation will typically be at close range involving a wide range of calibers.

d) Fit. An improperly fitted vest is dangerous (and damn uncomfortable). If you must purchase one on-line, first- go to a “Cop Shop” and get fitted in various brand name vests and get the sizes. Then order one online. www.galls.com has some good prices and even some specials from time to time. Safariland, Pointe Blank, and Second Chance are all reputable name brands.

e) Personally, I am more scared that I will be attacked with a knife or a blunt object; when I looked at armor, I wanted penetration protection as well, which was very expensive (but worth my life).

Since I only wear my vest for short periods, I decided on a level II vest made of a fabric that provides some resistance to cuts and stabs (though not to the CIPM standards).  A new slash  resistant material, Cut-Tex™,  is also being used in new protective clothing lines.

I hope this helps you make the right decision when choosing concealable soft body armor!