Would you know a suicide bomber if you see one? What are the signs?

I have heavily borrowed this information from one of my favorite authors - Lee Child and his book, Gone Tomorrow.

The book starts off with the hero, Jack Reacher, encountering what appears to be a suicide bomber on a NY subway. What happens after that is exciting, high drama, and suspense. If you don't know who Jack Reacher is yet, get to know him as soon as possible. He's the ultimate super hero for our times.

Suicide Bomber List:

1. Inappropriate clothing - a heavy coat in the summertime, baggy, lumpy clothes
2. Odd or unusual walk - explosives cause people to walk funny, go figure
3. Irritability - these people look mad
   
4. Sweating - may or may not be from wearing a heavy coat
   
5. Tics - twitching
   
6. Nervous behavior - oh, snap! Who wouldn't be nervous?
   
7. Heavy breathing or rapid (panting) breathing
   
8. Staring straight ahead - suicide bombers do not look around, they are focused on a target
   
9. Mumbling - especially mumbled prayers, repetitive rote speech
   
10. Carrying a large bag or case - it has a detonator inside
    
11. Hand or hands inside the large bag or case - to trigger the detonator

There is another sign if the bomber is a man:

12. Clean and newly shaven face - Male suicide bombers usually shave right before the act in order to "blend" in. Like this is going to help!

While it is hard to convict a person based on subjective signs, you should certainly say something to the authorities. The next thing I would do is get away from this person as fast as possible. If you have a cell phone or camera handy, take a photo.

Remember, suicide bombers are not always of one race, creed or gender. They come in all sizes, shapes, and disguises.