Agency: DOJCIVIL Record Number: 182-10001-10020 Record Series: Director, Federal Programs Branch, Civil Division Originator: DOJ From: W. David Slawson To: Harold F. Reis Title: Warren Commission -- Autopsy Notes Date: 11/8/66 Pages: 3 Subjects: Warren Commission -- Autopsy Notes Summary of Contents: A memo dated November 8, 1966 from W. David Slawson, of the Department of Justice, to Harold F. Reis at the Office of the Attorney General regarding attempt to locate the missing autopsy notes. Document follows in full. UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE MEMORANDUM TO: Harold F. Reis DATE: November 8, 1966 Executive Assistant Office of the Attorney General FROM: W. David Slawson [the handwritten initials "WDS" follow] Office of Legal Counsel SUBJECT: Warren Commission -- Autopsy notes. The only pertinent testimony is that of Dr. Humes (2 H 372-74), and the pertinent exhibits are CE 387 and 397. As best I can make out, the steps in the process were as follows: 1. During the course of the autopsy, late Friday night, November 22, 1963, Dr. Humes and either Dr. Finck or Dr. Boswell both made notes on two pieces of paper. Those two pieces of paper are now the last two pages of CE 397. (2 H 373) 2. At some time, probably during Saturday or Sunday, November 23 or 24, Dr. Humes spoke by long distance telephone to Dr. Perry and made notes about the conversation. Dr. Perry was one of the doctors who worked on the President in Dallas. These notes are now the first page of CE-397. (2 H 372-73) 3. In his own home early on the morning of Sunday, November 24, Dr. Humes, using the foregoing notes and his memory of the event, made a first rough draft of the autopsy report in his own handwriting. (2 H 373) 4. Later that same morning in "an office" he made his final handwritten draft of the autopsy report. (2 H 374) This office APPARENTLY [Emphasis as in the original] was in his home. (Compare 2 H 373 with 2 H 374) This final handwritten draft of the autopsy is now the 15 pages of CE 397 following the first page of that exhibit. (2 H 373) [end of page one] 5. Later on Sunday, November 24, Dr. Humes burned his first rough draft of the autopsy report -- those pieces of paper reflected in paragraph three above -- in the fireplace in his recreation room at his home. (2 H 373) 6. At some later time, presumably Monday, November 25, Dr. Humes handed his handwritten copy of the autopsy report to a typist, and the final typewritten copy was made. This typewritten copy is now CE 387. (2 H 373) I checked by telephone with Mr. Marion Johnson of Archives [sic] who told me that he knew of nothing other than CE 387 and 397 that might be the autopsy report or notes or drafts related thereto. - 2 - [end of page two and end of document] Record Number: 182-10001-10020 Agency File Number: 008679 Originator: HSCA From: W. David Slawson To: Title: Date: 5/17/78 Pages: 4 Subjects: Slawson, David Kennedy, John; Autopsy Summary of Contents: Outside Contact Report on telephone interview with W. David Slawson by HSCA investigator Andy Purdy on 5/17/78. Text of handwritten document follows in full. KENNEDY OUTSIDE CONTACT REPORT DATE 5/17/78 TIME 5:25 I. Identifying Information: Name: DAVID SLAWSON Telephone: 213/741-7385 Address: U. of So. Calf. Type of Contact: X Telephone Person II. Summary of Contact: -to Justice in late 1965, left in summer of 1967, Office of Legal Counsel -- Norbert Sch [rest of name not decipherable] head then Wozencraft. -re: October of 1966 transfer of autopsy materials -- vague recollection of knowledge -- kind of scuttlebutt way. Joe Dolan (former RFK man & JFK man) working for RFK at time vague sense he was involved re: transfer. Recalls Jackie (her feelings or others for her) concern in negotiations leading to transfer; afraid would become public. Justice Dept. wanted it because it was relevant evidence -- III. Recommended Follow-up (if any): [blank] Signature: /s/ Andy Purdy [end of page one] KENNEDY OUTSIDE CONTACT REPORT DATE: 5/17/78 TIME: p. 2 I. Identifying Information: Name: SLAWSON -- p. 2 Telephone: Address: Type of Contact: Telephone Person II. Summary of Contact: -assassination critics had raised issues re: autopsy. -No knowledge of other autopsy related material. Because was on Warren Commission staff, people checked with him -- but not privy to Burke Marshall's discussion with Kennedy's. -Last heard Joe Dolan in Denver, Col. -- if not through Justice Byron White's office, or Sen. Kennedy. III. Recommended Follow-up (if any): [blank] Signature: /s/ Andy Purdy [end of page two and end of document]