The shoes the so-called 'shoe-bomber' allegedly tried to ignite appear to have had no metal in them, which may have helped foil the suspected bombing attempt.
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Richard Reid
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Tests have shown indications of PETN, a substance used to make the explosive Semtex, the same material used to bring down Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in December 1988.
US officials also say a non-metal fuse in the shoes could have picked up enough moisture to make the explosives difficult to light.
Meanwhile, investigators have been retracing Richard Reid's travels across Europe and the Middle East and tracking his recent purchases in search of possible ties to terrorists.
He allegedly tried to detonate explosives on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami but was overpowered by flight attendants and passengers.
Mr Reid (28) has been charged with intimidation or assault of a flight crew, and already faces a maximum 20 year sentence, but the FBI say additional charges are likely.
Prosecutors will ask a judge to order Mr Reid be held without bail as he awaits trial.
They are expected to argue that he poses a danger to society and would be likely flee the country if released. US officials are still trying to back-up claims Mr Reid trained at Osama bin Laden's terrorist camps in Afghanistan.
Investigators are carefully tracking his movements in the last six months, reviewing information suggesting he travelled or spent money in Israel, Egypt, the Netherlands, Belgium and France.
FBI agents are also looking at whether Mr Reid purchased explosives or shoes during a recent stop in Amsterdam.
PA