</s>REPORT of the LABORATORY FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION WASHINGTON, D. C. 205535 To: BBI, Memphis (44-1987) Washington, D C. D. 20555 Date: June 18, 1968- Fbi File No. 44-388801 Re: MURKIN Loh. No. D-880614107 JK CR Specimens received 6/14/88 Q369 Form A-0-Application for Canadian Passport, in the name RAMON GEORGE SNYD, stamped "Cancelled", in the Affidavitat signed "Tamed George Sheedy" and attached cardion copy of a letter to the Canadian Passpert Division dated 5/17/68 Q370 Card entitled "Polish Internationalal De De Defesa Do Established Entrada De Estrategiros", signed RANOM GEORGE SNEYD Q371 International Embarrassion/Disembarkation Card, in the name RAONGE GEORGE NEVEA Q372 International Embarration/Dissembarkation Cards, in the name RAMON GORGE SNYEA Result of examination: Excluding the hand printing on Q370 and considering the signature on this item together with the question specimens. described above, it was concluded that the questioned handveriting, hand prating on "Sheoyat" signatures on Q372 through Q372 were propared by JAMES EARL RAY, SIGNATUREZ. of this report to Legat, Paris, Photographs were made. Specimens 0369 through Q373 are forwarded with a copy 44-1981-Neblt-303 SEARCHED, INDEXED. SEARCHALED, INDEPED. JINN. FB1-MEMPHIS 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI laboratory analyses conducted in 1968 as part of the investigation into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Key findings include forensic comparisons of handwriting, hair samples, and physical evidence collected from Memphis, Tennessee. A handwritten letter signed "Lord R. G. Shey'd" was linked to James Earl Ray through handwriting analysis. Hair samples from items recovered at the scene (e.g., bed sheets, socks) were compared with Ray’s head hair, though conclusive identification could not be achieved due to lack of individual microscopic characteristics. Evidence included clothing items (e.g., suit coat, necktie, shirt) associated with MLK Jr., rifle components, and personal effects like a "Gillette" travel kit. Latent fingerprints and palm prints from hotel registration cards were analyzed but did not match Ray’s prints. The FBI transmitted findings to Memphis and Chicago divisions for further investigation.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of MLK Jr., whose handwriting and hair samples were compared with evidence.  
- **Martin Luther King Jr.**: Victim of the assassination; his clothing items (suit coat, necktie, shirt) were analyzed as evidence.  
- **John Edgar Hoover**: FBI Director overseeing the investigation.  
- **Ruby Constance Wiggins**, **Rose Fratini**: Individuals whose fingerprints were examined for elimination purposes.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Primary location of the assassination and evidence collection.  
- **Washington, D.C.**: FBI Laboratory where forensic analyses were conducted.  
- **Chicago**: Received some evidence and reports as part of the investigation.  

Key Events  
- **July 23, 1968**: Handwriting analysis linked a letter to James Earl Ray.  
- **July 29, 1968**: Hair sample comparisons between Ray’s hair and items from the Memphis scene.  
- **June 12, 1968**: Transfer of evidence (e.g., MLK Jr.’s clothing, rifle components) to the State Attorney General’s Office in Memphis.  
- **August 8, 1968**: Voice recordings and engineering analysis conducted for speaker identification.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted forensic analyses, evidence collection, and coordination with local authorities.  
- **State Attorney General’s Office, Memphis, Tennessee**: Custody of evidence related to the assassination.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_84-03-part_2_of_6.pdf

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