Professional Documents
Culture Documents
A. The Photos Fall Into Two Groups RE: the Position of the Body
1. TAKEN FIRST: Photos with the body supine, flat on its back; head and
shoulders over a striped towel; head in a metal stirrup; neither of the two official
wounds of entrance are displayed;
Then I moved in and started taking close-up photos as directed by Dr. Humes. Stringer,
ARRB Phone Interview, pg. 3.
"Right Side of Head and "Superior View of Head Left Side of Head and
Shoulders Shoulders"
I think it was only six or seven exposures [that I took on the film roll]. Reibe, ARRB,
pg. 40.
Yes [this roll of 120 film was being taken at the same time as your pictures were being
taken] Stringer, Taped Interview by Lifton, 1972.
b. Evidence From Content of Film Roll Photos (only 3 roll photos contain images)
Photo #1 shows left side of body with a towel around the abdomen (i.e., Left Side view).
Photo #2 shows top of skull-but can't make out any detail (i.e., Superior View of Head).
Photo #3 is a 45o angle taken over the right shoulder, which also shows the towel over the
abdomen. (i.e., Right Side of Head and Shoulders view) (D. Horne, to S. Barber, 3-1-98)
a. similarity: the subject of these photos are the two official wounds of entrance
b. similarity: (on two of the views) the body is on its side; head probably on a chock
Wound of entrance in right occipital region, Posterior view of wound of entrance of
missile high in shoulder
the head of the President was supported by a block Hagan (arriving 20 min before the
autopsy concluded), ARRB, pg. 3.
It [the chock] could be turned to different sizes to raise or lower the head. Paul
OConnor, HT2, pg. 306
we had a chock. It was a block approximately six inches long that had four prongs on
it. And it was matched more or less to the behind the neck as opposed to supporting
the back of the head. James Jenkins, HT2, p. 306
We used an aluminum block that was scalloped for different sized, for the neck and so
forth. And the headrest really, unless they used it for the photograph, would have gone
underneath the neck. Jenkins, Law, pg. 91.
c. similarity: on the two views with the body on its side, the skull piece is flapped
out in similar position;
B. The Photos Fall Into Two Groups RE: the Scalp Position on the Right Forehead
Missile wound of entrance In posterior skull,
1. In order to remove the brain, the scalp following reflection of scalp Humes,
was first reflected forward over the face. Boswell, Stringer, 1966 Inventory
Inference: The official head entrance Inference: The official shoulder entrance
wound photo below - was taken after wound photo below - , taken near the
the scalp was reflected forward; that is, same time as the photo on the left, also
after the dissection autopsy was was taken after the dissection autopsy
underway was underway
C. Autopsy Photo of Two Autopsists Hands Inserted Into the Cranial Vault
Inference: The above photo, with two hands inserted into the cranial vault, was taken after
the brain was removed
D. Autopsy Photo With the Hair Wetted/Washed
..
[Dr. Karnei remembers the pre-autopsy]
photographs being taken while the body was
undressed. The Presidents hair was covered in
dried, matted blood at this viewing. Karnei,
ARRB, pg. 2
..
The contents of the photos themselves indicate one group of four different body
views, in which all possess the following similarities
The contents of the photos themselves indicate other photos that are not in the
above group, in which
1. the official wounds of entrance are shown in all three body profiles
2. the body is on its side in two of the three body profiles shown
3. the right forehead scalp/hair is visibly reflected forward in at least two of
the three body profiles
4. in one of the views the hair on the upper part of the back of the head has
been wetted and spread apart
5. hands are visible on the head in all three profiles, and in one a pair of
hands are inserting into the cranial vault
The external examination was done first and as soon as the body had been examined, the
photographer was brought in and various photographs, external photographs, were taken,
at which point we then backed away and permitted the radiologist to X-ray the entire
body, and then we began further external examination and dissection while awaiting the
development of the X-ray film. Stringer ARRB pg. 98
Reibe said that he began taking pictures as soon as the remains were on the table.
Reibe, HSCA, pg. 2
Rudnicki said that personnel began taking photos as soon as the body arrived Rudnicki,
HSCA, pg. 2
I was present when various persons placed the body on the autopsy table. Doctors then
proceeded to remove the sheet covering JFK and to photograph the body. ONeill,
HSCA, pg. 2.
Yes [photographs were taken] throughout the autopsy. Boswell ARRB Phone
Interview 04/08/96
[Stringer] was the photographer [he took photographs] throughout the autopsy the
photographers were quite busy, because every time we time we turned around we had
him take a picture Boswell ARRB pg. 129, 38
Photographs were being taken all the time. Custer, ARRB, pg. 39
Dr. Karnei said ... they took a lot of photographs at various times." Karnei, HSCA
interview, pg. 6
There were photographs taken at various stages Burkley, Oral History to McHugh,
1967, pg. 17
I think they were taking pictures during the whole process (the autopsy), not just before
pretty well all during it. Hagan, Livingstone KTT, p. 700
[once the autopsy started] then, periodically, more pictures were being taken you
know, different angles and so forth; where the entry was, and so forth; this angle, and that
angle. Van Hoesen, Liften 1992, pg. 666.
I think they took photographs before, during and after; they kept on taking
photographs. They took photographs from the time they got the body out until it was put
into the new casket. McHugh, Lifton, BE, pg.431
about 20 minutes before the autopsy was concluded. The body of the President was
being cleaned up photos were being taken, Hagan, ARRB
It seems to me that the photographer, and I guess it was Mr. Stringer at the time, came
back in. I think he wasnt satisfied with some of the shots and decided that he wanted
some more. He was back in there more than once, I believe. In other words, the
pictures were not taken all at one time. As I remember it, he did return to shoot a couple
of extra shots. Stringer, Liften, 1992, pg. 667
B. Evidence the Autopsist Finck Was Not Present for the Initial PreDissection
Photos
Some of the photographs were taken in my presence in the autopsy room. Finck, Shaw
Trial, 1969
a. The autopsists removed bullet fragments from the brain after the dissection
had commenced (i.e., after the initial predissection photos)
Humes: To better examine the situation with regard to the skull, at this time, Boswell
and I extended the lacerations of the scalp which were at the margins of this wound,
down in the direction of both of the President's ears. At that point, we had even a better
appreciation of the extensive damage which had been done to the skull by this injury. We
had to do virtually no work with a saw to remove these portions of the skull, they came
apart in our hands very easily, and we attempted to further examine the brain, and seek
specifically this fragment which was the one we felt to be of a size which would permit
us to recover it.
Specter: Will you proceed, then, to tell us what you did then?
Humes: Yes, sir. We dissected carefully in this region and in fact located this small
fragment, which was in a defect in the brain tissue in just precisely this location.
Warren Commission Hearings, Vol. II, Pg. 354
b. Finck arrived after the bullet fragments were removed from the brain, i.e.,
Finck arrived after the time that the initial pre-dissection autopsy photos were
taken.
McCloy: Did you examine any of the fragments which were removed from the
President's skull?
Finck: I only saw one fragment shown to me when I arrived at Bethesda, and it was an
elongated black metallic fragment, and that is the only one I saw to my recollection. I was
told that it had been removed from the brain of President Kennedy in the anterior portion
of his head." (Finck, Warren Commission Testimony)
c. Finck arrived after the brain was removed, i.e., Finck arrived after the time that
the initial pre-dissection autopsy photos were taken.
Finck: I arrived at the Naval Hospital at 2030 hours ... The autopsy had been in progress
for thirty minutes when I arrived Finck, Blumberg letter 1965
Finck: When I arrived, as I recall, the brain had been removed Finck, Shaw Trial,
1969
Finck: As a matter of fact, when I reached the hospital, as far as I can recall, the brain
had been removed. Finck, HSCA, pg. 72
d. After Finck arrived (which was after the brain was removed) Finck directly
assisted in taking the photo of the wound in the upper back.
[Finck] I help the Navy photographer to take photographs of the wound in the back.
Finck, Blumberg Letter, 1965
[Dr. Karnei] doesn't remember whether Dr. Finck did any cutting or just examined the
body. He said he does .. .remember him working with a probe [i.e., back wound] and
arranging for photographs." Karnei, HSCA, pg. 6
...when they were putting the probes through the body Dr. Karnei said he was not
exactly sure ..." how successful they were with the probing. He recalls them putting the probe
in and taking pictures (the body was on the side at the time). He said they felt the hole in the
back was a wound of entrance and they were ".. .trying to figure out where the bullet came
out." Karnei, HSCA interview, pg. 5
SECTION IIA.B SUMMARY. The autopsist Finck did not arrive to the autopsy until
after the initial predissection photograpy. However, he did later help with, and
perhaps arranged for, the autopsy photos of the back/shoulder wound.
Therefore, the autopsy photos of the back/shoulder wound were not taken as part
of the set of initial predissection autopsy photos.
STRINGER remembers taking at least two exposures of the body cavity." Stringer,
HSCA, Pg 16
The area of discoloration on the apical portion of the right upper lung Kodachrome
[= color] photographs [note pleural tense] were made of this area in the interior of the
Presidents chest. Humes, Warren Commission, 2 H pg. 363.
I distinctly recall going to great lengths to try and get the interior upper portion of the
right thorax illuminated --- you know the technical difficulties with that, getting the
camera positioned and so forth, and what happened to that film, I dont know. Humes,
HSCA, pg. 253.
Dr. Humes, Commander and Naval doctor, testified before the Warren Commission that
this one photo made of the highest portion of the right lung. The other two doctors dont
recall if such a photo was made. Ramsey Clark phone conversation with President
Johnson, Jan. 27, 1967
SECTION II.C SUMMARY. The attempt to take a photographs of the bruised lung
was made after Finck had arrived, but before the evisceration of the lung out of
the body cavity. Inference: The two unexposed color transparency films in the
official National Archives autopsy photo collection likely arose from the attempt
to take photos bruised lung. This attempt was made separate and after the initial
predissection set of photos, but prior to the final stages of the autopsy.
close to midnight, portions of the cranial vault are received from DALLAS, Texas.
Finck, Blumberg Letter
Close to midnight, portions of the cranial vault --- portions of the cranial vault are
received from Dallas, Texas.... Finck, ARRB, pg. 98
I would have guessed it was midnight or one oclock in the morning. Humes, HSCA, pg.
244.
[It arrived] prior to [the beginning of the embalming] I think it was midnight.
Stringer ARRB pg. 107, 106
This was maybe midnight to one o'clock when these fragments arrived from Dallas
the autopsy was still going on. Ebersole, HSCA, pg. 20
Also during the latter stages of the autopsy, a piece of the skull measuring 10 x 6.5
centimeters was brought to Dr. HUMES who was instructed that this had been removed
from the Presidents skull. FBI report filed by Sibert and ONeill, 11/26/63
1. Kellerman said the receipts for items received in the autopsy were "made up" by the
Navy. Kellerman, HSCA, pg. 5
2. AMC CHESTER H. BOYERS, U. S. Navy, visited the autopsy room during the final
stages of such to type receipts given by FBI and Secret Service for items obtained. FBI
Report on Autopsy, Sibert and ONeill, 11/26/63
3. Mr. Kellerman said that prior to signing the receipts "...everyone counted them...
Kellerman, HSCA, pg. 9
4. The typed receipt to the Secret Service for the number of autopsy X-rays contained the
TYPED wording:
SECTION III.A, B1-4. SUMMARY: The above record lists a total of 11 X-rays that
is, when the above list was typed during the final stages of the autopsy, the
number of X-rays recorded as being in existence was not the final number of
autopsy x-rays that officially came into existence (14 = official final total).
Inference: this list, made during the final stages of the autopsy either (a) was
typed shortly before the late-arriving skull fragments from Dallas were X-rayed,
for which 3 additional X-rays were taken, or (b) there was such confusion (Chaos
Theory) at the scene that the intended-to-be-official counting and recording of
existing autopsy X-rays of the dead President failed to record 3 of the 14 existing
X-ray films.
5. The typed index (receipt) to the Secret Service for the number of autopsy photographs
contained the wording:
1. We both took notes [during the autopsy] (Sibert, ARRB, pg. 78)
2. Yes, we did [take notes during the autopsy]. We did take some, though. Yes, we did.
And I destroyed them [after preparing the official 302 report]. ONeill, ARRB, pg. 142,
143.
3. Regarding the listing of those materials in my [11/26/63] report, Humes told us the
number of X-rays and photographs; we had no independent verification, we did not count
them, Sibert, HSCA/Purdy interview, pg. 5
4. The typed report of the FBI as to the number of X-rays and autopsy photographs
contained the wording:
The following is a complete listing of the photographs and X-Rays taken by the
medical authorities of the President's body. They were turned over to Mr. ROY
KELLERMAN of the Secret Service. X-Rays were developed by the hospital, however, the
photographs were delivered to the Secret Service undeveloped:
11 X-Rays
22 4 X 5 Color Photographs
18 4 X 5 Black and White Photographs
1 Roll of 120 film containing five exposures.
(Sibert, ONeill FBI Report on Autopsy)
SECTION III.C SUMMARY: The above record lists a total of 22 (color) and 18
(black and white) photographic sheets and 11 X-rays. That is, the number
of photographs recorded as being in existence was the same as the final
number of autopsy photographic sheets that officially came into existence
(22 color, 18 black and white official final totals). However, the number of
X-rays recorded as being in existence was not the final number of autopsy
x-rays that officially came into existence (14 = official final total).
Inference: either (a) at the time Humes told the FBI agents as to the number
of photos and X-rays, all photographs had been taken, but the final three X-
rays had not yet been taken, or (b) there was such confusion (Chaos
Theory) at the scene that the intended-to-be-official accounting and
recording by the FBI of the existing X-rays of the dead President failed to
record 3 of the 14 existing X-rays.
1. The typed receipts to the Secret Service for the number of autopsy X-rays and
photographs contained the additional HANDWRITTEN wording:
Number of X-rays
Receipt dated 22 November 1963 from Ebersole to Kellerman
[in typing:]
The following number and types of X-ray films were taken this date.
Eight (8) 14 x 17 inch X-ray film
Six (6) Three (3) 10 x 12 inch X-ray film
[The typed Three and 3 were by handwriting crossed out and changed to
SIX and 6, next to initialing JHS (John H. Stover); now, is 14 total, not 11
total]
Number of photos
Receipt memo, 22 November 1963 From Stover to Kellerman
[in typing:]
The following items of photographic material were placed in the custody of Mr. Roy
H. Kellerman 22 November 1963
[The typed 8 and 6 are crossed out in handwriting and 11 and 9 hand
written in with adjacent initialing of JHS (John H. Stover). This change yields
total 22 color films and total 18 black and white films].
SECTION III.D SUMMARY: The above record lists is a total of 14 X-rays and
22 (color) and 18 (black and white) photographic sheets. That is, the
number of photographs and number of X-rays recorded as being in
existence was the same the official final total numbers for each.
Inference: either (a) after time that the receipts were originally typed, 6
more color photos, 6 more black and white photos, and 3 more X-rays were
taken, necessitating the subsequent handwritten corrections to the
receipts by John H. Stover, or (b) there was such confusion (Chaos
Theory) at the scene that the official-for-the-record typed receipt was
factually wrong on every point, of the number existing of color autopsy
photos, black and white autopsy photos, and autopsy X-rays of the dead
President.
1. The four different views in which the body is supine, the head supported in a metal stirrup, the
forehead scalp not reflected forward, and no official wounds of entrance are shown, were all
taken at the outset, before the dissection autopsy started, and all other photos were taken after the
dissection autopsy started; and that no official autopsy photos taken at the autopsy are missing;
and that all official autopsy photos taken of the body were taken in the autopsy room at the
official autopsy;
2. The attempt to take color photos of the lung bruise occurred later than the initial
presdissection series, but before the final stages of the autopsy;
3. The receipt for autopsy photographs typed by Boyer to the Secret Service, made during the
final stages of the autopsy, was accurate that six black and white photos, and six color photos,
had not yet been taken --- a circumstance supported by
a. Dr. Fincks attestations as early as 1965 that he arrived after the brain was
removed and helped take the shoulder wound entrance photo;
b. Doug Hornes 1998 description that the color shoulder wound entrance photo at
the National Archives (and not available for public viewing) shows two hands
inserted into the cranial cavity (i.e., the photo was taken after the brain was
removed) (Hornes description was not subsequently disputed by anti-
conspiracists Larry Sturdivan and Chad Zimmeran, who viewed the same photo at
the National Archives after Horne published his description)
c. The back of the head entrances photos show the right forehead scalp is reflected
forward out of view, and the scalp was not reflected forward until the dissection
autopsy was underway, when the scalp was reflected as part of normal autopsy
process to enable the brain to be removed (i.e., the back of the head entrance
photos were taken after the brain was removed)
d. The attestations of many of the autopsy observers and participants that
photography was occurring throughout the autopsy including at the end near the
body clean-up stage
e. The statement by Dr. Humes that the predissection identification-type photos
taken at the outset of the autopsy were made without any cleaning or disturbing of
the hair, and his agreement with the HSCA that the color back-of-the-head,
wound entrance photo shows the hair wetted and spread apart
then organizational sequence of the autopsy photograph-taking below is the only one fits.
18 TOTAL 4 x 5 B&W PHOTO FILMS AT NATIONAL ARCHIVES
(Note: the numbering system below is that used by the 1966 Naval Inventory of the photos)
12 B&W photographs (6 duplex cassettes) were taken before the dissecting autopsy started
(this number is recorded in typing on the typed up on official receipt record of photos)
4: "Left Side of Head and Shoulders" (numbers "1, 2, 3, 4")
2: "Right side of Head and Shoulders" (numbers "5, 6")
4: "Superior View of Head (numbers 7, 8, 9, 10)
(two are upper view; two are lower view) 2:
Right Anterior View of Head and Upper Torso, Including Tracheotomy Wound ("13,14")
6 B&W photographs (3 duplex cassettes) were made after Dr. Finck arrived (after the brain was
removed), and were taken during the final stages of the autopsy (these are documented in
handwriting onto the earlier typed official receipt for photographs)
16 Color Photographs (8 duplex cassettes) were taken before the dissecting autopsy started
(this number is recorded in typing on the typed up on official receipt record of photos)