(Testimony of Cortlandt Cunningham)
Mr. Eisenberg.
And again it is a sort of a composite photograph?
Mr. Cunningham.
That is correct.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Now, these markings seem a little less distinct than the others.
Mr. Cunningham.
It is in a different area. On this particular case, the marks are excellent. You can see down in here some nice fine marks, and then the heavier marks coming across there. They are good marks.
Representative Ford.
Could you point out, as you look at the photograph, what you consider good similarities, which would help you in the identification?
Mr. Cunningham.
Yes, sir. Now, this is not the only point of similarity. These strictly demonstrate the type of marks. There are many more marks on these cartridge cases, all over the base of the cartridge cases, as well as in the firing-pin impressions. But Mr. Eisenberg asked that we have a photograph to demonstrate the type of marks on each particular cartridge case.
Representative Ford.
This is only illustrative, then?
Mr. Cunningham.
That is correct, My identification was not based on this picture. It was based on my complete microscopic examination and comparison of test cartridge cases from the revolver with this particular cartridge case.
Representative Ford.
Could you show me the similarities?
Mr. Cunningham.
Yes. You see, you have your large it is slightly out of focus up towards this end----
Mr. Eisenberg.
Excuse me, as you demonstrate this, could you mark with circles and with a number what you are talking about, so when the record is looked at it is clear what you are talking about?
Mr. Cunningham.
All right--up here, near the top, you will find a very deep ridge, which I will mark "1." As you are coming down, you will find another real deep ridge, which I will mark "2."
When you consider this is 120 times, this is actually quite close together, except it has been magnified--you have a set of marks resembling "railroad tracks," which I will mark "3."
You will find over here. you go down to your next step. There are similarities in between there. The next big set of "railroad tracks" I will mark "4."
Then you move down, and you will find another similarity, four nice marks down near the bottom. This whole area is similar. You are going out of focus, but you can see these "railroad tracks." They are running along very nicely, and that is being marked "No. 5."
The next photograph is a photograph--on the left of the hairline--
Mr. Eisenberg.
What Commission exhibit is that?
Mr. Cunningham.
No. 598.
On the left of the hairline is our number C-47, the cartridge case. On the right is a test from the C-45 revolver, which is Commission Exhibit 143. These also are breech-face marks in the base of the cartridge cases.
On the right you can see the space between the primer and the base of the cartridge case, and also the individual characteristic marks in the primer.
Mr. Eisenberg.
What is the magnification?.
Mr. Cunningham.
This is approximately 123 1/2 times.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Congressman Ford, would you care for a discussion of this?
Representative Ford.
No. The one previously gave the basis.
Mr. Cunningham.
Actually, this seems to be a slightly larger area. You have again the same "railroad tracks," all up and down, going across the two cartridge cases.
Representative Ford.
To the layman that seems even more--
Mr. Cunningham.
Demonstrative, yes. I don't know if you saw the photographs of the cartridge cases in the rifle, the assassination rifle. Those marks are just as distinctive as the more demonstrative marks in this particular breech face. But to a trained examiner, they stand out. They are harder to see than those on these particular photographs. And even in these photographs, the photograph you were asking me, they were not quite as vivid as they are on this photograph.
But there, again, it goes back to what I told you each cartridge case will strike the breech face in a slightly different way, and you don't get complete similarity."
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