Expert: PETN a dangerous terrorist weapon

LONDON, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- An explosives expert in London says PETN, or pentaerythritol tetranitrate, is an ideal explosive for terrorists because it is powerful and hard to detect.

The Guardian (Britain) said Sunday the suspected terrorist involved in the attempted Christmas Day attack on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 bound for Detroit allegedly used PETN.

The same explosives compound was used by so-called shoe bomber, Richard Reid, in his 2001 attempted bombing of an American Airlines flight.

Hans Michels of London's Imperial College said if the compound is transported in a sealed container, it is difficult to detect. In addition, small amounts of PETN can cause extensive damage.

"If you can lay your hands on a reliable source, it would be the explosive of choice," Michels said.

Michels told the Guardian there was likely a failure in the PETN device Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab allegedly used in the Northwest Airlines attack.

"There was almost certainly a failure between the primary and the main charge that meant the PETN did not fully detonate. If it had, the plane might have limped home because it was already quite low," he said.