(Testimony of Robert A. Frazier Resumed)
Mr. Frazier.
represents a dent in the metal of the bolt face, and number 5 again is a raised area on the primer which is a portion of a ridge. In this instance this is more or less of a compound ridge which runs horizontally with a small break in it pointing down toward the lower left.
Mr. Mccloy.
Is that same break apparent in the left hand photograph?
Mr. Frazier.
Yes, sir; it is. Looking very closely and right at the hairline, you can see the break in the ridge where it forms more or less of a Y. The actual connecting point is not present, but you can see the portion of the ridge as it heads towards the horizontal ridge. The hairline has separated that portion of it.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Would you call these marks strongly characteristic marks, Mr. Frazier?
Mr. Frazier.
Oh, yes; very characteristic. They are primarily characteristic because of their irregular shape. If they had been regular in shape, it wouldn't have meant nearly as much as it does to have the irregular rough surfaces and contours of the marks.
Mr. Eisenberg.
I think you have identified the next picture I am holding as having been taken by you?
Mr. Frazier.
Yes, sir; it was. That is a 70-diameter magnification photograph of Exhibit 544 on the right, and the test from the rifle on the left.
Mr. Eisenberg.
And this bears the numbers C-14 and C-7, and is a firing-pin photograph?
Mr. Frazier.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Eisenberg.
May this firing-pin mark photograph be admitted, Mr. Chairman?
Mr. Mccloy.
It may be admitted.
Mr. Eisenberg.
That is 563.
(The item was numbered 563, and was received in evidence.)
Mr. Eisenberg.
Could you review that photograph, Mr. Frazier?
Mr. Frazier.
Yes, sir. In Exhibit 563 the test cartridge case representing the rifle is on the left side of the photograph, and shows most of the firing-pin impression in that cartridge case. Five circles have been drawn over towards the right-hand edge of the firing-pin impression, and five similarly located circles have been drawn over the area at the right-hand edge of the firing-pin impression of Exhibit 544.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Which is actually the left-hand side of the right-hand part of the picture?
Mr. Frazier.
It would be that is right; at the dividing line, the circles on 544 are drawn close to the dividing line, which shows only a very small portion of the firing pin of that cartridge case.
Beginning with number 1, it has a gently sloping ridge running from upper left toward lower right in each instance, with a break in the ridge contour at the middle in the form of an extension upwards toward the top of the photograph.
In number 2 there is a circle drawn around the end of a very long line in the left-hand side of the photograph. The circle is drawn to show a Y-shaped break in this line located on both cartridge cases.
Number 3 is a photograph of an irregular-shaped raised portion on the firing-pin impression, which is very difficult to describe in words.
Number 4 is a groove extending from upper right to lower left which has a break in its lower side to allow a horizontal groove to come in towards the main groove. The lower portion of that groove coming in from the lower side is in the form of a crescent-shaped ridge, which starts horizontally from the left and then falls off towards the lower right-hand side of the photograph.
The circle, number 5, is again a Y-shaped or wishbone-shaped ridge, with a horizontal bar on the right, and then extending ridges upward toward the left and downward to the left.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Again, are these firing-pin marks what you would call strongly characteristic?
Mr. Frazier.
Yes; I would say so.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Does the firing pin give any evidence of having been altered subsequent to the original manufacture?
Mr. Frazier.
No, sir; only in an accidental sort of way, that is, very fine
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