</s>REPORT of the LABORATORY FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION WASHINGTON, D. C. 205535 To: FBI, Memphis (44-1987) Washington, D . C. 20535 Date: May 10, 1968 FBI File No. 44-38281 No: MURKIN Lb. No. 44-38381 D-562660 JK CR Specimens received 5/7/69 Q325 Frontier Airlines Transportation Receipt Bearing stamped date Mayl, '68, signed "Carl Ray" Result of examination: Some differences were noted between the "Carl Roy" signatures on 925E when compared with the signatures in this name appearing on 9252 (Frontier Airlines temporary credit card) , but the limited mature of the questioned signature precluded a. definite opinion from being reached. Because of the limited questionioned material and the lack of significant handwriting characteristics, it could not be detailed by the "Carl Ray" signature on Q325 was prepared by JAMES EARL RAY. Q325 is temporarily retained. This specimen was photographed. H.10/10/11/11.1.1/1. SEARCHED. INDEED. SENIALIZED. FILLED. MAY 1, 1968 FBI - MEMPHIS 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI forensic analyses conducted in May 1968 as part of the investigation into Martin Luther King Jr.’s (MLK) assassination. Handwriting and fingerprint comparisons were performed on documents linked to James Earl Ray, including a latent fingerprint matching his left thumbprint on a Modern Photo Bookstore coupon. This evidence connected Ray to items bearing the name "Eric S. Galt." Typewriter letters and transportation receipts with signatures like "Carl Ray" were examined for potential ties to Ray, though definitive authorship could not be confirmed. Additionally, forensic analysis of laundry tapes from multiple locations compared specimens (e.g., K239–K256) to tags from Thermo-Seal machines in South Carolina and other regions, aiming to determine machine origins. Administrative directives referenced efforts to discontinue certain investigative tasks, such as locating specific laundry tag markings ("20R-3"), and coordination between FBI offices (e.g., Memphis, Boston). Handwriting analysis on a registration card (Q336) signed by "Ernest S. Gault" and a Post Office Form 1583 (Q337) with the signature "Eric S. Galt" concluded these were not written by Ray, whose handwriting appeared on other items (e.g., K71, K171).  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray: Convicted of MLK’s assassination; his fingerprint and handwriting were analyzed in multiple documents.  
- Eric S. Galt: Name associated with documents linked to Ray, including a typewriter letter dated April 29, 1968.  
- Ernest S. Gault: Name on a registration card (Q336) analyzed for handwriting comparison.  
- Carl Ray: Signature found on transportation receipts; possibly an alias or pseudonym.  
- John Edgar Hoover: FBI Director overseeing the investigation and forensic efforts.  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Central to MLK’s assassination and FBI investigative operations.  
- Birmingham, Alabama: Linked to "Eric S. Galt" address on documents.  
- South Carolina: Sites of Thermo-Seal machines analyzed for laundry tag origins (e.g., Parris Island, Charleston).  
- Lynchburg, Virginia; Paw Paw, Michigan; Boston, Massachusetts; Maryland-Delaware area: Locations of laundries and cleaning services involved in specimen analysis.  

Key Events  
- Latent fingerprint comparison confirming James Earl Ray’s thumbprint on a Modern Photo Bookstore coupon.  
- Handwriting analysis concluding signatures on Q336 (Ernest S. Gault) and Q337 (Eric S. Galt) were not written by Ray.  
- Forensic examination of laundry tapes to determine machine origins, comparing specimens from multiple laundries.  
- Administrative directives to discontinue efforts to locate specific laundry tag markings ("20R-3").  
- Coordination between FBI offices (e.g., Memphis, Boston, Albany) for specimen analysis and investigative tasks.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted forensic analyses, including handwriting comparisons and machine origin studies.  
- FBI Laboratory: Performed fingerprint and handwriting examinations as part of the investigation.  
- Frontier Airlines: Linked to transportation receipts with "Carl Ray" signatures.  
- Local laundries and cleaning services (e.g., Smith’s One Hour Cleaners, Paw Paw Laundry, Holland Cleaners): Provided specimens for forensic analysis.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_84-02-part_4_of_6.pdf

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