Bomb testing

Your report on tests of the Lockerbie bomb (7 January) contains an inaccuracy which may be the result of a misunderstanding of information provided by the Crown.

You say: "A Crown Office spokeswoman pointed out that Dr Wyatt had never examined the actual timer that was used as evidence. She added that 'extensive' tests were carried out on the fragment in the United States."

The information provided by the Crown to your reporter does not state that extensive tests were carried out on the timer fragment. Extensive explosives tests were carried out in 1989 to determine the amount of explosive likely to have been used to destroy Pan Am 103, the extent of damage to the improvised explosive device and baggage and to ascertain what, if anything would have been recovered after an explosion.

Tests were not carried out on the fragment itself nor on an MST-13 timer. Indeed, the tests predated identification of the fragment as part of an MST-13 timer.

JOHN DUNN

Deputy crown agent

Crown Office

Chambers Street, Edinburgh