Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy

Abdominal Cavity Findings

The Abdominal Cavity findings indicated that the abdominal organs were in their normal positions and relationships, with no increase in free peritoneal fluid. The vermiform appendix was surgically absent, and a few adhesions joined the cecal region to the ventral abdominal wall at the site of the old abdominal incisional scar.

Skeletal System Findings

The Skeletal System findings indicated that, aside from the previously described skull wounds, there were no significant gross skeletal abnormalities.

Photography Documentation

The Photography section noted that black and white and color photographs depicting significant findings were exposed but not developed. These photographs were placed in the custody of U.S. Secret Service Agent Roy H. Kellerman, who executed an attached receipt.

Roentgenogram Documentation

The Roentgenograms section noted that roentgenograms were made of the entire body and of the three separately submitted fragments of skull bone. The films were developed and placed in the custody of U.S. Secret Service Agent Roy H. Kellerman, who executed an attached receipt.

Autopsy Summary

The Autopsy Summary concluded that the deceased died as a result of two perforating gunshot wounds inflicted by high-velocity projectiles fired by a person or persons unknown, with the projectiles fired from a point behind and somewhat above the level of the deceased. The observations and available information did not permit a satisfactory estimate as to the sequence of the two wounds. The fatal missile entered the skull above and to the right of the external occipital protuberance, with a portion of the projectile traversing the cranial cavity in a posterior-anterior direction and depositing minute particles along its path, and a portion making its exit through the right parietal bone, carrying with it portions of cerebrum, skull, and scalp. The two skull wounds combined with the force of the missile produced extensive fragmentation of the skull, laceration of the superior sagittal sinus, and laceration of the right cerebral hemisphere. The other missile entered the right superior posterior thorax above the scapula, traversed the soft tissues of the supra-scapular and supra-clavicular portions of the base of the right side of the neck, produced contusions of the right apical parietal pleura and the apical portion of the right upper lobe of the lung, contused the strap muscles of the right side of the neck, damaged the trachea, and exited through the anterior surface of the neck. As far as could be ascertained, this missile struck no bony structures in its path through the body. The pathologists concluded that the wound of the skull produced such extensive damage to the brain as to preclude the possibility of the deceased surviving this injury.