</s>1/26/68 AIRTEL AIR MAIL - REGISTERED (R.R.A.) TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (44)-38861) (ATTENTION: FBI LABORATORY, DOCUMENT SECTION) FROM: SAC, LOS ANGELES (44-1571) SUBJECT: MURKIN Enclosed for the FBI Laboratory are the following items of an evidentiary nature which were obtained fromr. HERBERT G. GREENBERG, 1610 La Cleena Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, by SA THERBORD, La Cienega Boulevard/Los Angeles, Calif. Inscribed on the back of the left hand hand. (H/2668, TMG, LA, CALIF .* ) (1) air mail envelope, postmarked 26/68/68, addressed to Tiffany Enterprises, 2/26Whitworth Dr. Los Angeles. California, bearing a return address of ERIC 5.A. 5333 Hollywood Blvd ., Hollywood, Calif .* 90828. (2) One typewriter letter dated 2/28/68 bearing the typetition signature ERIC S. GALT, as well as a typetitution signature ERic S. Galif. "9988" and all of the writing in what appears to be red ballpoint pen ink were both placed there by either GREENBERG or an employee of Tiffany Enterprises. The Laboratory is requested to compare the signature appearing on the letter and the type on the Letter and envelope with those previously submitted samples in this case in order to determine the evidence. Upon completion of the examination, visually submitted samples. Upon completion, It is requested that the evidence be returned to the Los Angeles Division. - Bureau (Encs. 2) (AMSD) (REGISTERED) (RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED) - Los Angeles TMC-ICM (6) -29/6. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail FBI laboratory examinations conducted in 1968 related to the investigation into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Key findings include analysis of handwriting on a registration card (Q289) bearing the signature "Tom Rozell" and thermo-seal laundry tapes (K197) from Bariteaus Laundry, Santa Cruz, California. The FBI concluded that the handwriting on Q289 was not prepared by James Earl Ray, and the marking machine used for K197 was not employed in other specimens. Bullet composition analysis of cartridges Q4-Q3 revealed variations in lead cores, with some fragments matching bullets from the victim’s body. Evidence such as rifles, cartridges, maps, and personal items were recovered near 424 South Main Street, Memphis, including a .243 Winchester rifle, .30-06 Springfield cartridges, and a "Banner" binocular. A bullet fragment (Q64) and currency notes (including Series 1963A Federal Reserve Notes) were also submitted for examination. The documents reference fingerprint analysis, latent prints, and comparisons to determine connections to James Earl Ray.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of MLK Jr., whose handwriting was compared to specimens.  
- **Tom Rozell**: Signature on a YMCA registration card (Q289) analyzed for potential connection to Ray.  
- **Robert Fitzpatrick**: Memphis FBI office personnel who delivered evidence on April 5, 1968.  
- **Inspector N.E. Zachary**: Memphis Police Department officer who recovered items from the crime scene.  
- **Bessie Ruth Brewer**: Individual whose fingerprint card (Q68) was submitted for analysis.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Primary location of the investigation and evidence recovery.  
- **Santa Cruz, California**: Source of laundry tapes (K197) from Bariteaus Laundry.  
- **424 South Main Street, Memphis**: Location where items were recovered by Inspector Zachary.  

Key Events  
- **April 5, 1968**: Evidence including rifles, cartridges, and personal items was submitted to the FBI laboratory.  
- **April 29, 1968**: FBI laboratory reports concluded that handwriting on Q289 did not match James Earl Ray’s and that K197 tapes were unrelated to other specimens.  
- **Bullet composition analysis**: Examination of cartridges Q4-Q3 revealed variations in lead cores, with some fragments matching bullets from the victim’s body.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted laboratory examinations, fingerprint analysis, and evidence collection.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Recovered items from the crime scene and provided them to the FBI.  
- **United States Department of Justice**: Oversight of FBI laboratory operations and forensic investigations.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861-bulky_hs1-233652821_67-08-part_3_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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