</s>P.D .: 245 (REV. 4:13.60) H. S. Department of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE) DO NOT DESTROY FEDERAL BUREAU PEL ... 3 LITIGATION FEDERAL BUREAU of DO NOT DESTROY HISTORIC VALUE NATIONAL ARCHIVES INVESTIGATION Volume Number Serial: Bureau File Number - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1/A Vol.s PENDING LITigation - SFI newellippanyo - - - - - - - - - - - Bureau file Number: 18-47062 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
This document contains historical FBI investigative reports from April 1968 related to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which occurred on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. The reports detail law enforcement efforts to trace suspects, analyze physical evidence (including laundry tape with thermoseal markings), and coordinate interagency investigations. Key elements include airline records, travel itineraries, forensic analysis of laundry marks, and collaboration between the FBI, local police departments, and private entities like airlines and textile companies. The investigation focused on linking suspects to the crime scene through evidence such as a suitcase containing clothing with thermoseal tape codes (e.g., "D 2 B–6" or "0 2 B–6").  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Identified as the assassin, though later controversies cast doubt on his sole involvement.  
- **William J. Lehmeier** and **Lemey**: Names flagged due to potential travel connections or name similarities.  
- **Clem McGowan**: A real figure involved in the investigation.  
- **Roy S. Rodman**: An FBI agent referenced in the documents.  
- **Delta Air Lines**, **Northwest Airlines**, and **Southern Airlines**: Entities whose records were examined for suspect movements.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of Dr. King’s assassination.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama** and **New Haven, Connecticut**: FBI field offices involved in the investigation.  
- **Syracuse, New York**: Location of Textile Marking Machine Co., a company contacted for thermoseal tape analysis.  

Key Events  
- **April 4–7, 1968**: Timeline of investigative activities, including evidence collection and interagency coordination.  
- **Laundry Tape Analysis**: Forensic efforts to trace the origin of thermoseal markings found at the crime scene.  
- **Airline Record Examination**: Review of flight manifests and passenger logs to identify potential suspects.  
- **Interagency Collaboration**: Coordination between FBI offices, local law enforcement, and private entities like airlines and textile companies.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Central agency leading the investigation.  
- **Local Police Departments** (e.g., Birmingham Division, Memphis Division): Involved in evidence collection and suspect tracking.  
- **Textile Marking Machine Co.**: Contacted to analyze thermoseal tape codes.  
- **Delta Cleaners Equipment Co.**, **Lewis National Corp.**: Distributors of thermoseal machines referenced in the investigation.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_03-01-part_1_of_4.pdf

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