by Kenneth A. Rahn, Sr., Ph.D
Considering how hard researchers are struggling to better understand the JFK assassination, any piece of good news comes as a welcome surprise. After spending much of the last two years studying the two sets of neutron-activation analyses (NAA) of bullets and fragments from the assassination (done by the FBI in 1964 and the HSCA in 1977), I can now report that a piece of good news is indeed emerging --- the fragments appear genuine, both analyses are of high quality and agree closely with each other, and together they provide a simple, straightforward picture in which two Mannlicher- Carcano bullets from one rifle account for every fragment retrieved and analyzed. The joint results also provide strong evidence for two groups of fragments, with members of each group being indistinguishable from each other but the groups being clearly distinguishable.
The first group contains the Parkland bullet (CE 399) and Connally's wrist fragments; the second group, the fragments from JFK's brain, the front seat of the limousine, and the rear carpet of the limousine. In the past, the difficult statistical aspects of these data coupled with the variable composition of MC bullet lead have prevented researchers from calculating the all-important prob- ability that the two groups are chemically different. I have found a way to overcome these difficulties and can show that this probability is greater than it might appear at first glance: at least 90% and quite possibly greater than 95X.
Because these analyses have received such bad press for many years (claims of switched fragments, misinterpreted data, etc.), I have paid special attention to these criticisms. I can report that they all seem unfounded, having sprung from incomplete understanding of how NAA actually works. Several of these misunderstandings have been needlessly perpetuated for many years by researchers' citing other researchers rather than persons familiar with NAA.
What do these results mean? In contrast to claims made over the years by various Warren Commission supporters, the existence of the first group neither proves the single-bullet theory nor provides strong direct evidence for it. By showing that the fragments from Connally's wrist are indistinguishable from the Parkland bullet, this first group provides strong evidence consistent with the single-bullet theory, but equally consistent with an independent hit to Connally. The second group of fragments effectively ties the head shot and all fragments found in the limousine to the Mannlicher-Carcano. The real importance of the NAA data, however, is the "baseline" picture of the assassination they provide --- two bullets, one rifle --- that logically must be taken as the operative explanation until stronger evidence is provided for a more complex view.
by Matthew Smith
The three-dimensional model which has been built up in the computer is really something all by itself. The pictures need tidying up and, whilst accurate coloring is in place in some areas, other areas are incorrect and will require putting right. It is the astounding accuracy we have obtained which greatly bites me.
One of the weaknesses of the Failure Analysis study was that it drew much of its material from the Warren Report and the Senate 1979 Report. Naturally, this constituted "tainted" data and it was not surprising it produced results compatible with Warren. The study we have now completed draws nothing from Warren or the 1979 Report. All the data is independent and completely untainted.
The model has been constructed from photographs, films, maps, diagrams and sundry other data which I have been responsible for obtaining. The entire program has been "locked together" with a new purpose-commissioned survey which was carried out for us by a company in Dallas. The program is extremely reliable. I think we can comfortably claim that there is no other investigatory instrument anywhere in the world which will compare with it.
The angle of the bullet which coursed the President's neck was first established. This was finalized by working from two autopsy photographs, one showing the President's face and neck, the other showing his back wounds. The stable point from which the measurements were calculated was the tip of the ear-lobe. measurements were made to the neck wound at the front and to the back wound. The trajectory was then calculated in regard to the measurements obtained. The back wound is lower than the neck wound, but not by as much as you would think. I know I was surprised, but the computer measurement is accurate.
Having established the angle of trajectory, the computer was asked to link to this a trajectory from the sixth floor window. Much as expected a change in direction was experienced when contact was made with the president's back. Taking a line from the throat wound to Governor Connally's back, another change in direction was experienced. l don't think you need me to complete the exercise here. Suffice to say the exercise was completed. We have now, finally, proved that the single bullet theory is sheer nonsense, as we believed all along.
The angle the bullet was traveling in would necessitate the shooter to have been firing from ground level, had the shot been from the rear. In this case, however. he would have had to have been shooting from the open road immediately behind the car following Kennedy with the secret service Personnel It could not have happened. The only feasible answer is that the shot came from the front and that the Dallas doctors should have left their first statement alone. The President was slightly turned to the right, waving with his right hand, and with his left reaching across and holding the side of the car. This can be seen clearly from the Zapruder film. The President's body was turned somewhat to the right, therefore. The trajectory extended forward leads straight to the grassy knoll, to a point not at the front, but at the side of the picket fence.
The trajectory having been established, the whereabouts of the bullet which had transited the Presidents throat was then sought. It proved to have gone between the car which followed the President's and the outrider to that car's left. There was only a small gap, but since the car behind was not hit, neither the outrider, it clearly took the path defined. Remarkably, the Cutler map, (which my colleague says is very accurate), shows a mark from a bullet high on Elm Street at this very point. (See Q2 on Cutler map).
We also asked the computer whether the shot to the Presidents head (fatal shot which we know came from the knoll) was feasible from the sixth floor, and the results we got were very interesting. You will see the results on the tape.
Incidentally, we have no argument with a shot from behind which visibly hit the President almost immediately after the throat wound. We calculate the throat wound as occurring at frame 197- 8. The President can hardly be seen at this point as he disappears behind the road sign in the Zapruder film. Governor Connally turns round at this point. Almost certainly not in response to the throat wound shot. More likely a previous shot that missed. I am convinced there were several shots flying about which completely missed their targets. I agree with Groden that Connally was hit by a separate bullet from behind and another bullet from the side. It is likely the second bullet transited his wrist and lodged in his left thigh, which is logical.

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