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On March 17, one day before the fourth blast, the Austin police released a graphic with a picture of an example of a suspicious package.

It highlighted several signs that should spark suspicion, including excessive postage, misspelled words or a badly written address. A note that the package is \"Personal!\" or confidential or has no return address should be red flags, too.

Oily stains, strange scents, powder residue or protruding wires were also listed as indicators of a suspicious package.

If you see or receive a suspicious package, do NOT touch or handle it. Call 9-1-1 immediately so that we can get officers out to assist you. #AustinPD #ATX #Safety pic.twitter.com/eScYLxpbfD

— Austin Police Dept (@Austin_Police) March 17, 2018

Specifics about the package deliveries

In addressing the first three blasts, Austin police chief Brian Manley said they did not believe that the packages are being delivered by any formal mail services, including the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, UPS or DHL.

\"They're an average-size delivery box. They're not exceptionally large,\" Manley said on March 12, the day of the second and third blasts.

The suspect or suspects did not ring the doorbell with the delivery of the first three packages, Manley said, so it is unclear how long the packages were on the victims' porches before they saw and moved them.

\"What we know is when the victims have seen these packages on the front porch, they have gone out and handled them in some way or another and have had the explosions occur,\" Manley said.

\"These devices can explode in many ways, either by being moved or being opened. So that’s why I want to reiterate the importance that if you see something that’s out of place, do not handle it, do not move it, do not touch it. Call us,\" Manley said.

\"If you had a package at your home and you were not expecting a delivery, if the package delivered to your doorstep looks suspicious in any way, call 911 and report it. We will respond,\" Manley said.

Police received hundreds of calls about packages in the days after that warning.

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