Post by A PSY DOCHas the organic residue still adhered onto the bullet(s) 2 largest
fragments found afterward (specifically, found forward of Kennedy), inside
the limousine been forensically tested for a DNA match to either Kennedy
and/or Connally, yet?
Well, sorta, kinda:
Press Release nr00-25
Press Release · Friday, January 21, 2000
Washington, DC
Press Release
January 21, 2000 Lab Tests on Kennedy Assassination Evidence Now Complete
Washington, DC. . . A report on laboratory analyses of evidence from the
assassination of former President John F. Kennedy was released today by
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). ( The report
follows this press release).
The evidence analyzed was Warren Commission Exhibit (CE) #567 containing
the nose portion of a bullet recovered from the limousine in which the
President was riding. The exhibit, which has been in NARA custody since
1966, consisted of five fragments: one copper and lead fragment with
adhering fibrous debris, and four smaller pieces of organic material.
Tests were made of the debris and the organic material to determine
their composition for possible relevance to the Commission's conclusion
that alleged assassin Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.
In requesting such tests, the Department of Justice said that if
"alleged fiber evidence embedded in the bullet nose recovered from the
front seat of the limousine" was "consistent with the President's shirt
collar, tie, and tie liner," then there might have been a "different
trajectory than that previously identified" by the Warren Commission.
Scientists concluded from the test that the fibers were of a non-textile
origin and did not come from the clothing of John F. Kennedy, nor of
John B. Connally. The Department of Justice also had speculated that the
organic fragments might shed light on the assassination, but DNA
analysis of them proved inconclusive.
Most of the analysis was accomplished on site at NARA. Instrumental
analysis of a portion of the fibrous material was undertaken at the FBI
Laboratory (Washington, DC); histological preparations of samples taken
from the four organic fragments were processed at the Armed Forces
Institute of Pathology (Walter Reed Complex); and mitochondrial DNA
examinations of samples taken from the four organic fragments were
conducted at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (Rockville, MD).
The final report on the investigation, entitled "Further Scientific
Examination of JFK Assassination Evidence," describes the scientific
decision-making process, summarizes the findings, and appends the
individual laboratory reports. The three investigative agencies that
cooperated on the project were the FBI Laboratory, The Armed Forces
Medical Examiner, and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory.
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine of the Maimonides
Medical Center and the Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and
Education supplied independent participants in the testing.
For press information or a COMPLETE copy of the report, please contact
Susan Cooper of the Public Affairs Staff of the National Archives and
Records Administration at (202) 501-5526 (1/21/00 only) or at (301)
837-1700 thereafter.
00-25
Further Scientific Examination of JFK Assassination Evidence
Mary T. Baker, Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education
Margaret Ann T. Kelly, NARA Document Conservation Research and Testing
Laboratory
December 14, 1999
Summary:
On August 12, 1998, the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA) announced that it was working with the John F. Kennedy
Assassination Records Review Board (ARRB) to arrange for the further
scientific examination of physical evidence from the assassination of
the former president, now in the custody of NARA. That examination
process, outlined in Chapter 6, Part II, of the Final Report of the ARRB
(September 1998), and described therein as "ongoing…at the time of this
writing," is now complete.
The evidence under consideration has been Warren Commission Exhibit
(C.E.) 567, the nose portion of a bullet recovered from the front seat
of the limousine in which the President was riding. This exhibit
actually consisted of five fragments: one larger copper and lead
fragment with adhering fibrous debris, and four smaller pieces of
organic material. The specific purpose of additional scientific
examination has been to determine the composition of the adhering
fibrous material and of the smaller nonmetallic fragments.
During September 1998, a panel of experts in the areas of histology, DNA
analysis, organic materials, and fibrous trace evidence met in the
offices of the National Archives and Records Administration at College
Park, Maryland, in order to evaluate C.E. 567 and to develop and
implement an appropriate course of analysis. Participants included the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Laboratory, The Armed Forces
Medical Examiner, The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine of
the Maimonides Medical Center, the Armed Forces DNA Identification
Laboratory (AFDIL), and the Smithsonian Center for Materials Research
and Education (SCMRE).
Most of the examinations recommended by the panel were accomplished on
site at NARA. Instrumental analysis of a portion of the fibrous material
was undertaken at the FBI Laboratory (Washington, DC); histological
preparations of samples taken from the four organic fragments were
processed at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (Walter Reed
Complex); and mitochondrial DNA examinations of samples taken from the
four organic fragments were conducted at AFDIL (Rockville, MD).
The fibrous debris recovered from the bullet fragment of C.E. 567 was
determined to consist of paper fibers and unidentified proteinaceous
material of non-textile origin; and accordingly, did not originate from
the clothing of John F. Kennedy or John B. Connally.
The four smaller fragments of organic material were determined on
microscopic examination to consist of human skin and tissue, but it was
not possible to establish the precise body area of origin. DNA analyses
of these tissue fragments yielded inconclusive results; accordingly, no
comparison of the questioned human tissue with known sources is
currently possible.
Background:
In its August 1998 recommendations to ARRB regarding proposed testing of
JFK assassination evidence, NARA advocated the involvement of a
technical coordinator, independent of the FBI or other primary examining
agency, whose role would be to ensure that the contemplated examinations
were undertaken in a logical, concerted sequence. As implemented, this
function has been shared: Dr. Mary T. Baker (SCMRE) has provided expert
scientific oversight, review, and continuity to the examination process;
while the NARA Document Conservation Research and Testing Laboratory has
coordinated the associated technical record-keeping and reporting.
Scope:
This report outlines the scientific decision-making process which
evolved as a result of deliberate multi-agency collaboration and
consensus, and summarizes the results and conclusions reached as a
result of the examinations undertaken. These findings are based on the
work of the experts consulted, and do not constitute independent
opinions of NARA staff.
Specific Examinations (following):
Fibrous Trace Evidence Examination and Comparison . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Examination of Suspected Biological Tissue and /or Organic
Material. . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Appendices:
Participants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Schedule of Testing Procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Objects Examined . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Attachments (Individual Reports):
Adobe Acrobat PDF Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory Report of
microscopic and instrumental fiber analysis dated September 18, 1998
Adobe Acrobat PDF(Joint) Maimonides Medical Center and Armed Forces
Medical Examiner Report of histological examinations dated September 16,
1998
Adobe Acrobat PDFArmed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory Report of
mitochondrial DNA analysis dated November 2, 1999
Fibrous Trace Evidence Examination and Comparison
The bullet nose fragment recovered from the front seat of the
presidential limousine on November 22, 1963, and ultimately designated
Commission Exhibit (C.E.) 567, was apparently placed, on collection,
into a seamless metal can lined with cotton batting.
As observed during the evaluations reported here, adhering to the
surface of the lead portion and partially obscured by the copper jacket
portion of C.E. 567 bullet fragment were off-white colored fibers of
likely vegetable origin. The apparent firm adherence of these fibers to
the substrate rendered them of greater interest than the "ambient
debris" and loose fibers observed over other surfaces of this exhibit.
A review of available records indicated that the following textiles in
the vicinity of the limousine interior were likely disrupted or
perforated by bullet(s): C.E. 393 (Kennedy jacket), C.E. 394 (Kennedy
shirt), C.E. 395 (Kennedy necktie), C.E. 683 (Connally jacket), C.E. 685
(Connally shirt), and C.E. 687 (Connally trousers). No such damage to
the textile or leather component(s) of the limousine interior itself was
reported.
On microscopic examination of C.E. 567 fibers in situ, the panel
scientists agreed to the following consensus statements:
The questioned fibrous material could not be identified and
compared without removal from the substrate.
The fibrous material should be removed for further examination and
comparison.
The fibrous material could be removed and examined microscopically
on-site at NARA for preliminary characterization prior to obtaining
known samples for comparison.
Accordingly, the questioned fibrous material was removed en masse from
C.E. 567 and mounted on a glass microslide for further examination. As
initially placed on the slide, a portion of the material was observed to
appear similar to tissue-paper: a thin sheet of randomly oriented wood
pulp paper fibers. The material was then teased apart using a dissecting
needle to better distribute the fibers for microscopic identification.
An additional, distinctly different fibrous material was then noted: a
few long, slightly crimped, transparent, yellowish bundles with fibrils
which appeared "plastic-like" to some observers and
"leather/collagen-like" to others.
It was the consensus of the panel scientists that this unidentified
material, which on microscopic examination did not appear to be of
textile origin, should be referred for instrumental analysis.
Accordingly, the unidentified fibrous material was examined at the FBI
Laboratory (Washington, DC), where instrumental analysis using Fourier
Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) enabled classification of the
material as protein and its exclusion as a synthetic polymer.
A portion of the fibrous batting present in the seamless metal can of
C.E. 567 was mounted on a glass slide, and on microscopic examination
was found to be dissimilar to the fibrous materials recovered from C.E.
567 bullet nose fragment. It cannot be determined from available records
whether this particular batting was in the seamless can on original
collection of C.E. 567, but it was observed that the current batting
bears no visible trace of blood or other body fluid.
On stereomicroscopic examination of the known perforated textiles, the
panel scientists agreed to the following consensus statement:
With respect to C.E. 393 (Kennedy jacket), C.E. 394 (Kennedy
shirt), C.E. 395 (Kennedy tie), C.E. 683 (Connally jacket), C.E. 685
(Connally shirt), and C.E. 687 (Connally trousers), the materials in the
areas of perforation can be eliminated as sources of the questioned
fibers recovered from C.E. 567 bullet fragment without the need for
further sampling and microscopic comparison.
Accordingly, no samples of the known clothing articles were taken.
The fibrous debris recovered from the bullet fragment of C.E. 567 was
thus determined to consist of paper fibers and unidentified
proteinaceous material of non-textile origin, and did not originate from
the clothing of John F. Kennedy or John B. Connally.
Examination of Suspected Biological Tissue and/or Organic Material
A review of the handwritten work sheets of the U. S. House of
Representatives Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) Firearm
Examination Panel revealed that in 1978, examiners noted the presence of
"apparent beeswax" [John S. Bates, Jr.] and "what appears to be wax"
[Monty C. Lutz and Andrew M. Newquist] along with the metallic portion
of C.E. 567 bullet nose fragment.
As observed during the evaluations reported here, four fragments of
suspected biological tissue and/or organic material were present with
C.E. 567. On microscopic examination, the panel scientists agreed to the
following consensus statements:
The bio/organic material(s) cannot be identified and compared
without sampling.
The material(s) cannot be eliminated as biological tissue without
sampling.
Each of the four fragments should be sampled for further
examination and comparison.
The examination sequence should be: (1) Histology, to determine if
the material is biological tissue; and if so, whether it is human; (2a)
DNA analysis of human tissue, if present; and if successful, comparison
with known sources; and/or (2b) Instrumental analysis of organic
material of non-tissue origin, if present.
Accordingly, each of the four fragments was aseptically cut in half,
with one half referred for histological examination. The remaining half
of each fragment was aseptically cored, with the inner portion reserved
for possible DNA or instrumental analyses (pending the outcome of
histological examinations) and the remainder saved "for the future."
The four samples of bio/organic material taken for histological
examinations were re-hydrated and fixed on-site at NARA. Dr. Michael R.
Zimmerman (Maimonides Medical Center), an expert in the histological
examination of old and degraded human tissue (having undertaken field
work involving the University of Innsbruck Iceman Project and the
paleopathology of Egyptian and Aleutian mummies) provided the chemical
solutions for this initial work-up. Further processing to
paraffin-embed, section, mount, and stain the preparations was
undertaken at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (Walter Reed
Complex) at the direction of Dr. Jerry D. Spencer, Armed Forces Medical
Examiner.
On microscopic examination of the resulting histological slides, the
four nonmetallic fragments of C.E. 567 were determined to consist of
human skin and tissue in varying states of preservation, but it was not
possible to establish the precise body area of origin (e.g. scalp,
torso, limb). One of the samples was reported to include small black
non-tissue-related particles which were suggested to be ammunition
residue, but further testing of this debris was not undertaken. Another
of the samples was reported to include possible fungal or insect
fragments, but further mycological or entomological identification of
this invasion was not sought.
On microscopic examination by the panel pathologists and DNA scientists,
the unidentified proteinaceous material recovered from the bullet nose
fragment C.E. 567 was deemed unsuitable, due to its fibrous aspect, for
either histological sectioning or DNA analysis.
It was the consensus of the panel scientists that the four
fragments identified as human tissue should undergo mitochondrial DNA
examinations. The age and apparent degradation of the tissue were deemed
to likely preclude the success of nuclear DNA analyses.
With respect to mitochondrial DNA examinations, it was the
consensus of the panel scientists that the issue of obtaining known
samples for comparison, whether from the bloody clothing or from
maternally-related family members, should not be considered until after
it could be determined whether such a comparison were even possible,
based on analysis of the questioned material.
Accordingly, no samples of the known clothing articles were taken.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analyses of the four core samples of human
tissue were conducted at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory
(Rockville, MD), where scientists have developed considerable expertise
in the examination of older, degraded samples (military remains).
Although mtDNA was successfully extracted and amplified from the
specimens, inconclusive sequence information was obtained for these four
core samples. Additional amplification and sequencing attempts using the
four paraffin-embedded samples remaining from the histological
examination also proved inconclusive. As a result, no comparison of the
questioned tissue with known sources is currently possible.
Participants in the Evaluation of JFK Assassination Evidence at NARA
September 1998
Baker, Dr. Mary T. Polymer Chemist, Smithsonian Center for Materials
Research and Education (SCMRE)
Blumenfeld, Ms. Laura R. Assistant General Counsel, Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI)
Burmeister, Mr. Steven C. Chief, Chemistry Unit, FBI Laboratory
Constance, Mr. John A. Director, Congressional Affairs, National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Deedrick, Mr. Douglas W. Chief, Trace Evidence Unit, FBI Laboratory
DiZinno, Dr. Joseph A. Chief, DNA-II Unit, FBI Laboratory
Fram, Mr. Robert B. Forensic Examiner, Trace Evidence Unit, FBI Laboratory
Grover, Mr. William D. Archivist, Special Access and Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) Staff, NARA
Hamilton, Mr. Steven L. Archives Specialist, Special Access and FOIA
Staff, NARA
Hastings, Mr. James J. Director, Textual Archives Services Division, NARA
Holland, Dr. Mitchell M. Chief, Armed Forces DNA Identification
Laboratory (AFDIL)
Kelly, Ms. Margaret Ann T. Research Chemist, Document Conservation
Laboratory, NARA
Lindsey Smith, Dr. Jenifer A. Chief, DNA-I Unit, FBI Laboratory
Nisbet, Ms. Miriam M. Special Counsel for Information Policy, Office of
General Counsel, NARA
Shycoff, Ms. Tracy J. Deputy Director, Assassination Records Review
Board (ARRB)
Sibert, Mr. Robert W. Deputy Chief, Scientific Analysis Section, FBI
Laboratory
Spencer, Dr. Jerry D. The Armed Forces Medical Examiner
Tilley, Mr. Steven D. Chief, Special Access and FOIA Staff, NARA
Tunheim, Hon. John R. U.S. District Court Judge for the District of
Minnesota; and Chair, Assassination Records Review Board (ARRB)
Zimmerman, Dr. Michael R. Director of Clinical Laboratories, Department
of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Maimonides Medical Center
Off-Site Examiners
Huffine, Mr. Edwin F. Chief DNA Analyst, Armed Forces DNA Identification
Laboratory (AFDIL)
Menold II, Mr. Ronald E. Forensic Chemist/Examiner, Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) Laboratory
Wilson, Mr. Richard E. Supervisory DNA Analyst, AFDIL
Scientific Examination of JFK Collection Evidence Schedule of Testing
Procedures
Thursday, September 3, 1998
10 am - 4 pm
NARA Special Access and FOIA Unit: Samples taken of bio-organic
material for histology and DNA/instrumental analysis by Drs. Holland,
Smith, Spencer, and Zimmerman; fibrous material removed from bullet
fragment and mounted in Permount medium on glass microslide by Mr. Fram,
with Dr. Baker participating.
Friday, September 4, 1998
4 pm
NARA Special Access and FOIA Unit: Rehydration/fixation fluids
(histology samples) exchanged by Dr. Spencer.
Tuesday, September 8, 1998
9 am
from NARA: Dr. Spencer, NARA, and ARRB representatives deliver
histology samples to Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP)
Histology Laboratory, Walter Reed Complex. Samples placed in dedicated,
secured tissue processor for overnight paraffin embedding procedure.
Wednesday, September 9, 1998
8 am - Noon
AFIP Histology Laboratory (Walter Reed Complex): NARA and ARRB
representatives observe preparation of histological slides from paraffin
tissue blocks. NARA/ARRB representatives take possession of prepared
slides and remaining paraffin blocks for immediate return to NARA
Special Access/FOIA.
2 - 5 pm
NARA Special Access and FOIA Unit: Further microscopic examination
of fibrous material by Messrs. Deedrick and Fram, with Drs. Baker and
DiZinno participating. Sample taken from fibrous batting material and
mounted in Permount medium on microslide. Known clothing articles
examined without sampling. Examination of histological slides by Drs.
Spencer and Zimmerman, with Drs. Baker, DiZinno and Holland
participating; bio-organic samples selected for mitochondrial DNA
analysis on the basis of histological identification.
5 pm
Dr. Holland, NARA and ARRB representatives deliver selected tissue
samples for mitochondrial DNA analysis to Armed Forces DNA
Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), Rockville, MD.
Thursday, September 10, 1998
Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (Rockville, MD):
Mitochondrial DNA analysis of tissue samples begun by Mr. Huffine.
Friday, September 11, 1998
9 am
FBI Laboratory Chemistry Unit (Washington, DC): Microslide bearing
fibrous material delivered by NARA/ARRB representatives for instrumental
analysis by Mr. Menold II, with Dr. Baker participating.
Tuesday, September 15, 1998
8 am - Noon
AFIP Histology Laboratory (Walter Reed Complex): NARA and ARRB
representatives deliver prepared histological slides for further
immunochemical processing, followed by immediate return of materials to
NARA Special Access/FOIA.
3 pm
NARA Special Access and FOIA Unit: Further examination of
histological slides and proteinaceous fibrous material by Drs. Spencer
and Zimmerman.
4:30 pm
NARA and ARRB representatives deliver additional tissue samples for
mitochondrial DNA analysis to AFDIL (Rockville, MD).
Tuesday, October 13, 1998
11 am
NARA and ARRB representatives deliver additional tissue samples
(paraffin blocks) to AFDIL (Rockville, MD) for mitochondrial analysis by
Mr. Wilson.
Objects Examined
C.E. = Commission Exhibit
C.E. 393 John F. Kennedy jacket
C.E. 394 John F. Kennedy shirt
C.E. 395 John F. Kennedy necktie
C.E. 567 Bullet nose fragment from front seat of presidential limousine,
bearing fibrous trace evidence; with associated fragments of suspected
biological tissue or other organic material
with C.E. 567 Seamless metal can containing fibrous batting material
C.E. 683 John B. Connally jacket
C.E. 685 John B. Connally shirt
C.E. 687 John B. Connally trousers
Referred for Instrumental Analysis
from C.E. 567 Fibrous trace evidence recovered from bullet nose fragment
Referred for Histological Examination
from C.E. 567 Samples from each of four fragments of suspected
biological tissue or other organic material: 01A, 02A, 03A, 04A
from C.E. 567 Proteinaceous fibrous trace evidence recovered from bullet
nose fragment (examined microscopically in Permount mounting medium but
not subjected to further histological processing)
Referred for Mitochondrial DNA Analysis
from C.E. 567 Samples from each of four fragments of biological tissue:
01B, 02B, 03B, 04B
from C.E. 567 Paraffin block samples of biological tissue remaining
after histological examination: 01A, 02A, 03A, 04A
This page was last reviewed on August 15, 2016.
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