The Chairman.

Identification and Investigation of the Department of Public Safety of the State of Illinois.
You have both been asked to provide technical information to assist the Commission in its work.
Would you raise your right hand and be sworn, please?
Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you shall give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Mr. Cunningham.

I do.

The Chairman.

Will you be seated, please. You may proceed with the examination.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Mr. Cunningham, would you state your name and position?

Mr. Cunningham.

Cortlandt Cunningham. I am a Special Agent of the FBI.

Mr. Eisenberg.

And in what branch of the FBI do you work?

Mr. Cunningham.

I am assigned to the Firearms Identification Unit of the FBI Laboratory, here in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Eisenberg.

What is your education?

Mr. Cunningham.

I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Miami.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Could you briefly state your qualifications in the field of fire arms identification?

Mr. Cunningham.

Upon entering the FBI Laboratory, I underwent an extensive training course under the supervision of experienced examiners in the field of firearms identification, which consisted of making thousands of examinations and comparisons of bullets, cartridge cases, and weapons.
I have also done reading in the subject. I have done some research and conducted many experiments in the field. And, of course, I have made thousands of examinations on my own and testified numerous times in State and Federal courts.

Mr. Eisenberg.

How many years have you been in the Laboratory, Mr. Cunningham?

Mr. Cunningham.

Over 5 years, and I have been in the Bureau over 10 years.

The Chairman.

The witness is qualified.

Mr. Eisenberg.

To begin with, Mr. Cunningham, we had some testimony yesterday on the bullet which is thought to have been fired at General Walker.

That is Commission Exhibit No. 573. Are you familiar with this bullet, Mr. Cunningham?

Mr. Cunningham.

I am.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Can you supply the weight of that bullet, which was going to be supplied to us?

Mr. Cunningham.

I can. This bullet weighed 148.25 grains.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Does that show some weight loss, if the bullet was from a 6.5 mm. Mannlicher- Carcano cartridge?

Mr. Cunningham.

It does. Those bullets weigh 161 grains, but there is a great deal of mutilation on this bullet.

Mr. Eisenberg.

And could you tell us when you received this bullet in your laboratory, Mr. Cunningham?

Mr. Cunningham.

Yes. It was received from the Dallas office of the FBI on December 4, 1963.

Mr. Eisenberg.

And when was it examined?

Mr. Cunningham.

It was examined that date.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Mr. Cunningham, I now hand you Commission Exhibit No. 143, and I ask you whether you are familiar with this exhibit, which, for the record, is a revolver.

Mr. Cunningham.

If you will excuse me, I won't open the cylinder. I have checked the cylinder, and there are expended or fired cartridge cases in the cylinder.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Which you have placed in it for a special demonstration?

Mr. Cunningham.

I fired it, yes, prior to my testimony here today. I have seen this weapon before.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Again for the record, this is the weapon which is believed to have been used in the murder of Officer Tippit. Can you describe this weapon in terms of name, caliber and so forth?