A “Pressure cooker” warning was given a few times in recent years

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The Department of Homeland Security has warned a few times in the past from the danger of explosive devices hidden in pressure cookers.

This according to some memos revealed now. One of them describes the pressure cooker bombs as “a technique commonly taught in Afghan terrorist training camps.”

The Washington Post says that  there is no evidence linking Monday’s attacks to foreign terrorists. Just as important to keep in mind is that a great deal may have changed in the nine years since DHS released the memo, particularly in terms of who uses these sorts of devices and where.

The memo goes on:

Typically, these bombs are made by placing TNT or other explosives in a pressure cooker and attaching a blasting cap at the top of the pressure cooker. The size of the blast depends on the size of the pressure cooker and the amount of explosive placed inside. Pressure cooker bombs are made with readily available materials and can be as simple or as complex as the builder decides. These types of devices can be initiated using simple electronic components including, but not limited to, digital watches, garage door openers, cell phones or pagers. As a common cooking utensil, the pressure cooker is often overlooked when searching vehicles, residences or merchandise crossing the U.S. Borders.