</s>PENU ... . FICATION DO NOT DESTRON PENUL ... .FICATION 1.5. S. Department of Justicr MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE) bab Reports FIELD OFFICE FILE FOIPA PROCESSED FEDERAL BUREAU of ATE/10/3/1/01/01. SP.I.CUKFIT INVESTIGATION Bureau File Number Seenaty Number. See also Nos. SEE INSIDE FOR LITIGATIONS DO NOT DISTROY HISTORICAL VALUE NATIONAL ARCHIVES See nart Section - - 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The declassified FBI records from April 1968 detail forensic investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on latent fingerprint analysis, evidence handling, and comparisons with suspects. Key items examined include firearms such as a Remington Model 700 rifle (serial numbers 234748 and 283749), ammunition, laundry tags marked "02B-6," soil samples from Memphis locations (including 418 South Main Street and the Rebel Motor Hotel parking lot), and items recovered from Room 5-B of an unidentified location. Latent fingerprints on evidence were compared against suspects like Donald F. Wood and U.L. Matthew Baker, with no definitive matches found. The FBI Memphis office processed specimens between April 5–10, 1968, while the Birmingham and Atlanta divisions also contributed to analysis. References include case numbers "MURKIN" and "44-38861," litigation cancellations under Executive Order 14176, and administrative records related to fingerprint comparisons. Items such as pillowcases, leather straps, grass-like material, towels, and a decorative pin were analyzed for forensic links. Soil samples from the Rebel Motor Hotel and vehicle-related evidence (e.g., "Mustang") were submitted for analysis, with no significant toolmark or gunpowder residue findings noted.  

Key People  
- Martin Luther King Jr. (victim)  
- Donald F. Wood (suspect; fingerprints on rifle box)  
- U.L. Matthew Baker (suspect; latent print comparisons)  
- Eric S. Galt (suspect; documents examined for handwriting and signatures)  
- Dr. Alvin Eugene French (signature referenced in bank statement)  
- John Edgar Hoover (FBI Director)  
- FBI agents: Robert Fitzgerald, Franklin L. Johnson, Orville Vernon Johnson, Nevelyn Edray, Zachary (born in Texas), Guy Warren Canipie (born in Texas)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI field office; 418 South Main Street, Rebel Motor Hotel Room #34)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (FBI field office)  
- Aeromarine Supply Company (firearm seller)  
- Naval Exchange Laundry, Millington, Tennessee  
- Lamar Laundry, Memphis, Tennessee  
- Atlanta, Georgia (FBI field office)  

Key Events  
- Latent fingerprint analysis of firearms, ammunition, and evidence linked to MLK’s assassination investigation.  
- Examination of Remington Model 700 rifles (serial numbers 234748 and 283749) and associated documents, including invoices and laundry tags marked "02B-6."  
- Forensic comparison of soil samples from Memphis locations and items recovered from Room 5-B.  
- Analysis of vehicle-related evidence (e.g., "Mustang") for fibers, hair, and soil residues.  
- Submission of laundry marks from Thermo-Seal machines for comparison with case evidence.  
- Retention of evidence such as undershorts, T-shirts, wooden boards, and decorative pins for further analysis.  
- Processing of specimens by FBI Memphis and Birmingham offices between April 5–13, 1968.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- FBI Laboratory (Washington, D.C.)  
- Memphis Division FBI (Special Agent in Charge: Robert Fitzgerald)  
- National Fraudulent Check File (used for signature comparisons)  
- Latent Fingerprint Section (part of FBI Identification Division)

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_84-01-part_1_of_5.pdf

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