Which is a common method for initiating an IED?

The choice of victim-operated initiation as the correct answer highlights a method used in improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that directly involves the unsuspecting victim triggering an explosive. This approach typically relies on a mechanism that creates a situation where the device is activated through the actions of the individual, either by stepping on a pressure plate, opening a door, or manipulating an object that completes a circuit.

Victim-operated IEDs are particularly insidious because they exploit human behavior and do not require the perpetrator to be present at the time of activation. This makes them effective in causing harm or terror among civilians, especially in conflict regions or areas where such devices are used maliciously.

Other methods, while also applicable to IEDs, serve different operational purposes. Manual activation involves the person controlling the detonation directly, usually with a remote device or switch. External timers set off the device based on a predetermined scheduling mechanism, which allows for remote triggering but does not involve direct victim action. Static charge activation relies on electrical disturbances to detonate an explosive and is not directly influenced by the actions of a victim. Therefore, victim-operated initiation stands out as a common and effective method of IED activation in scenarios intending to target unwitting individuals.