Command-Initiated Switch
Definition
A firing switch that requires an active remote signal from the device operator to complete the initiation circuit; categories include RF, infrared, and cellular switches.
- Field
- IED anatomy and triage
- Requirement
- Active remote signal from an operator
- Categories
- RF, infrared, cellular switches
- Contrast
- Not victim-operated or time-delay
Common questions
Why is a command-initiated switch treated differently for render-safe procedures than a victim-operated switch?+
Because a command-initiated device relies on an active operator sending a signal, jamming or shielding the receiver can be part of a render-safe strategy, whereas a victim-operated switch triggers from the target's own action and requires a different approach focused on avoiding disturbance.
How do investigators identify the specific type of command-initiated switch used after an incident?+
Recovered component fragments such as receiver modules, antennas, or SIM cards, along with signal analysis and any surviving circuitry, allow examiners to determine whether an RF, infrared, or cellular link was used, which can also help trace the device's origin or purchase history.
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