Bomb details. Note that you want to get a windows seat for terrorism.
I'm still thinking the initiator was sulphuric + chlorate, even if PETN was
the primary.
The device intended to blow up the Northwest flight was made at the location in Yemen, according to Abdulmutallab, and consisted of a six-inch packet of powder and a syringe with a liquid. Both were sewn into the student's underwear so they would be near his testicles and unlikely to be detected, he told agents.
Authorities say the combination of the liquid in the syringe with the powder created the flash bomb, which was extinguished by passengers and air crew.
Investigators are conducting tests to determine the exact nature of the powder and chemicals used.
Abdulmutallab suffered second-degree burns in his genital area, investigators told ABC News.
The al-Qaeda affiliate in Yemen has increasingly taken on a lead role in coordinating major terror attacks as the U.S. has disrupted al-Qaeda training camps in Pakistan, according to American authorities.
Authorities say the suspected bomber was traveling on a visa issued by the State Department on June 16, 2008 and valid until June 12, 2010. Officials tell ABC News he was on a U.S. "terror watch list" but not on the "no fly" list, which would have prevented him from boarding the flight.
He had previously traveled to the U.S. on an 11-day trip to Houston in Aug. 2008.
Published reports in Nigeria said Abdulmutallab's father had contacted the U.S. embassy six months ago about concerns his son had become radicalized and could pose a threat to the U.S. One report said the father could not understand why his son was allowed to board a flight to the U.S. given his warning.
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=9426085
