Searching
for the
X-Factor:
screening liquids,
aerosols and gels
In September 2009, Abdulla Ahmed Ali, Assad Sarwar and Tanvir Hussain
were convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of conspiracy to commit murder
by detonating home-made liquid bombs on airliners heading from Britain to
North America. The plot was derailed in August 2006 but UK airports ground
to an almost complete halt with the news that a new and terrifying threat to
aviation security had emerged. From that time until this, liquids in individual
quantities of more than 100ml have been banned from aircraft. The emergent
threat of liquid based explosives has raised several questions. What liquid
explosives are the authorities most concerned about? Just how dangerous are
they and why? What substances are considered to pose the greatest hazard?
What is the future of liquid explosive detection? Richard Corfield goes in
search of answers.
I
t is very hard to get any specific specific nature of the liquid explosive security procedures to mitigate those
information about the threat of liquid threat was perceived to be. The threats,” without being any more
explosives – the subject, to some United States Transportation Security specific. Such caution seems a little
extent understandably, is shrouded in Administration would only say that they strange in an information age where
secrecy - but a common denominator is are “working closely with members a determined search of the internet is
that it was the 2006 plot that placed it of the aviation community to develop likely not only to make this information
on the intelligence radar. technologies that meet the needs available but yield detailed instructions
I asked several people what the of emerging threats, or , implement on manufacture. Other individuals
28 Register now for FREE instant access to ASI online by visiting www.asi-mag.com December 2009 Aviationsecurityinternational
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