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

Fingerprints on Shipping Cartons

Fingerprints on Shipping Cartons The FBI used the silver nitrate method to develop latent prints on the cartons containing the rifle. Box A yielded nine identifiable latent fingerprints and four palmprints, including Oswald’s right index fingerprint and left palmprint; the remaining prints belonged to Studebaker and Lucy. Box B produced seven fingerprints and two palmprints, again largely from Studebaker and Lucy with one unidentified palmprint. Box C yielded two fingerprints and one palmprint from the same individuals. On Box D, the FBI developed two of Lucy’s fingerprints, and the Dallas police developed by powder a palmprint identified as Oswald’s right palmprint. Latona estimated the maximum age of that palmprint at three days and Mandella at a day and a half, because perspiration is absorbed into cardboard and can typically be powdered for no more than 24 hours after placement.

Fingerprints on Cartridge Cases and Rifle Cartridge

Fingerprints on Cartridge Cases and Rifle Cartridge No fingerprints were developed on the cartridge found inside the rifle or on the three expended cartridge cases.

Questioned Document Experts

Questioned Document Experts Two experts, Alwyn Cole and James C. Cadigan, testified regarding questioned documents. Cole apprenticed as a questioned document examiner from 1929 to 1935 and has served as examiner for the U.S. Treasury Department since then. Cadigan has been a questioned document examiner with the FBI for 23½ years following specialized training. Both have testified frequently in federal and state courts. Their conclusions were identical except as noted. They jointly examined the rifle mail order to Klein’s Sporting Goods, the accompanying money order and envelope, the revolver mail order to Seaport Traders, post office box applications and change-of-address orders, the spurious Selective Service notice, Marine Corps certificate, and smallpox vaccination certificate in the name “Alek James Hidell,” and the Fair Play for Cuba Committee card. Cadigan additionally examined Commission Exhibit No. 1, the Russian-language note Marina testified Oswald had left before the Walker attempt, and the homemade paper bag found on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository.