Page 5: Evaluation of Data
The results of the experiments are as expected, since physics was used to
reach the anticipated results. The results were consistent, regardless of
changing variables such as blood volume and projectile velocity. The results
were reproducible using a wide range of weapons and caliber projectiles.
Therefore, the experiment results were determined to be reliable and
credible.
A comparison of the patterns created in a single incident was
made to determine if the direction of travel for the projectile creating the
patterns could be determined. Some characteristics were common to both patterns.
However, forward spatter patterns displayed some distinct elements:
- Larger fragments of the target were found only in the forward spatter
- Forward spatter held the larger of blood volume
When producing the shooting patterns an observation was made concerning the
target:
- Upon impact, the target made a small movement forward, followed by a
pronounced movement of the target traveling with the projectile.
Integration of findings to event analysis
The event in
question, the Kennedy shooting was then analyzed with reference to the achieved
findings.
- In every instance during the experimental shooting of bloody targets,
regardless of projectile velocity or blood volume, blood was disbursed back
toward the shooter and propelled forward in the continued direction of travel
of the projectile. This made comparisons of the two patterns created from a
single incident possible.
Regardless of the weapon, caliber, or
velocity of the projectile that was used to strike President Kennedy in the
head, both forward and back spatter would have been created. Bobby Hargis and
James Chaney, riding motorcycles on either side of the limo behind the
President were spattered with blood (22). The Connallys within the limousine
were also blood spattered.
Regardless of the volume of blood lost in the
wounding of the President, forward and back spatters were created. Therefore,
it is not important to know the volume of blood loss in the head wounding of
the President in order to determine if a back and forward spatter pattern was
created.
- Frequently, fragments of the bloody sponge permeated the forward spatter
pattern. Occasionally, this was observed in backspatter. Fragments located in
the back spatter were consistently minute in nature; however, the fragments in
the forward spatter varied in size and were occasionally large.
The target
sponge would correlate to tissue and bone. Real life experiences show bone and
brain tissue may be present in blood spatter patterns. Bone fragments expelled
in forward spatter are common in high velocity projectiles striking the
head.
Nellie Connally spoke of tiny bits of matter being deposited in the
car (23) as did Kellerman (24). Brain tissue was also deposited on the arm of
Secret Service Agent Samuel Kinney, the driver of the vehicle behind the
President (25). Secrete Service Agent Clint Hill stated tissue and blood was
located on the rear of the limo (26). Bone fragments (27), including the
Harper fragment, collected from Dealy Plaza are consistent with a gunshot
wound to the head.
Because spatter moves in all possible directions, the
discovery location of the fragment forward of the President may not be
significant, if at the time of the shooting that portion of the head was
exposed to a position both forward to and behind the President. The whitish
streak observed in the Zapruder frame 313 may be the Harper fragment or a
larger portion of soft tissue being projected as spatter.
- Forward spatter traveled farther than back spatter created in the same
incident.
Blood and tissue struck the windshield and driver of the vehicle
following the presidential limousine (28). A schematic of the limousine
completed for the Warren Commission indicates the trunk of the vehicle to be 8
feet long (29). Samuel Kinney stated the vehicle he was driving was
approximately 5 feet from the rear of the presidential limo. Riding 8-10 feet
further to the left of Hargis, Officer William Joseph "B. J." Martin was also
hit by a substantial quantity of blood (30).
- Forward spatter held a larger volume of blood, expressed as individual
stains, when compared to back spatter created in the same incident.
Frazier testified on 2-21 & 2-22-1969 in the Clay Shaw trial.
During his testimony he discussed what was found when the limo was searched at
1am on 11-23. Of particular importance is his contrast of blood volume:
"We found blood and tissue all over the outside areas of the vehicle
from the hood ornament, over the complete area of the hood, on the outside of
the windshield, also on the inside surface of the windshield, and all over the
entire exterior portion of the car, that is, the side rails down both sides of
the car, and of course considerable quantities inside the car and on
the trunk lid area." (31) (Added emphasis)
This seems to indicate Frazier believed the greater volume of blood and
tissue was located inside and on the trunk of the vehicle (32). A large volume
of the blood and tissue inside the vehicle is documented in photographs; no
photographs of the blood located on the vehicle exterior have been documented.
When comparing the spatter described by those behind the limo, to
those within the limo, it appears larger volume of blood was observed behind
the President (33).
In speaking with Bill Newman, he described "a
cloud of blood just in front of his [the President's] face". The blood he
described is captured in the Zapruder film in frame 313.
This type of
terminology was not used in descriptions of blood behind the President (34).
In fact, it is in stark contrast to Officer Hargis' comment to me, that what
he observed was "like a bucket of blood thrown from the back of the
President's head".
- In video-captured incidents the target moved dramatically with the
direction of the force (the projectile) upon impact. Normally this larger,
more pronounced movement traveling with the projectile followed a smaller
movement to the front upon impact.
Like the targets in the
experimental shootings, the Zapruder film also demonstrates a pronounced and
violent movement of the President's head to the rear, in agreement with the
laws of physics (35).
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