</s>FD-245 (REV. 1-21-80) U. S. Department of Justice CLASSIFICATION NO. (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILED FEDERAL BUREAOT DESTROT. ATSTORICAL VALUE, NATIONAL ARCHIVES. 10024554 INVESTIGATION Bureau File Number ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL DO NOT DESTROY DECLASSIFICATION HISTORICIAL VALUE Series Volume Number Series Series NATIONALARCHIVES Sen. 1/1/20/1.1.0/1 Evidence & Laborerry Volume Number ENTIRE FILE REVIEWed FOR HISTORYAL FOR HESTORICAL ALL INFORMATION CONTANIED DECLASIFICATION HERIN IS UNCLASSIFIED DATE 11/3/01/19/01 SP.1 CUKFIT 44-157/2-C. See also Nos. 2035 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigative activities during April 1968, focusing on evidence collection, forensic analysis, and suspect identification in connection with the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Key elements include latent fingerprint comparisons from vehicles (e.g., a 1955 Ford and 1966 Mustang), recovery of items such as floor mats, tools, clothing fragments, and vacuum sweepings. Handwriting analysis was conducted on materials linked to suspects like Eric S. Galt, including rental agreements, enrollment records, and documents from Home Service Laundry and Dry Cleaning in Los Angeles. Photographs of GALT and TOMAS LAU were transmitted for comparison, with descriptions of GALT’s physical attributes (e.g., height 5'10", brown hair) and vehicle details (dark Ford with red interior). The FBI requested comparisons of handwriting samples from Anita Katswinkel and Thomas Flikied to writings on a Kleenex box. Public records, including newspaper clippings, were sought to establish MLK’s itinerary in Memphis, Atlanta, Birmingham, and Los Angeles. Evidence such as a bedspread found in Memphis was analyzed for fiber matches to items recovered from suspect vehicles. Coordination between FBI field offices (Los Angeles, Memphis, Atlanta) and the FBI Laboratory in Atlanta was emphasized for forensic analysis and evidence handling.  

Key People  
- Eric S. Galt (central suspect; linked to rental agreements, enrollment records, laundry samples, and handwriting comparisons)  
- Tomas Lau (photographed for investigative comparison)  
- SAC FRANCIS C. RICHARD, KIN H. BLOESSER, JOHN S. WHALLEY, GEORGE B. Aiken, J. R. H. WALLEY (FBI agents involved in evidence handling and analysis)  
- Anita Katswinkel, Thomas Flikied (subjects of handwriting analysis)  
- Dale L. Dykema (signer of letter addressed to Eric Galt)  
- Charles Stein (submitted film roll for investigation)  

Key Locations  
- Los Angeles, California (Home Service Laundry and Dry Cleaning, Granary Park Apartments, Hollywood Boulevard, National Dance Studio)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (crime scene; bedspread evidence)  
- Atlanta, Georgia (FBI Laboratory, recovered car and parking lot details)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (rooming house and gun shop locations)  
- New Orleans, Louisiana (referenced in film roll submission)  
- New York State Department (Thermo Seal instruction booklet reference)  

Key Events  
- Search of a suspect’s Mustang in Atlanta on April 11, 1968, yielding laundry tickets, newspaper fragments, and Green Stamps.  
- Handwriting analysis comparing signatures to Eric S. Galt and other suspects, including comparisons between Anita Katswinkel and Thomas Flikied.  
- Recovery of vehicle-related items (floor mats, tools, clothing fragments) from a 1955 Ford and 1966 Mustang.  
- Transmission of photographs and descriptions of ERIC S. GALT for investigative comparison.  
- Request for public records (newspapers) to document MLK’s movements in Memphis, Atlanta, Birmingham, and Los Angeles.  
- Examination of a bedspread found in Memphis with fibers matching those in the suspect’s car trunk.  
- Coordination between FBI field offices (Los Angeles, Memphis, Atlanta) regarding evidence handling and analysis.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- FBI Laboratory (Atlanta, Los Angeles)  
- Home Service Laundry and Dry Cleaning (source of laundry records)  
- Textile Marking Machine Company (Thermo Seal instruction booklet reference)  
- Local law enforcement agencies (e.g., sheriff’s departments, police departments)

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_007-01-part_1_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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