</s>36 (Rev. 12-10-463) FEDERA BUREAU OF INVES SATION Washington, D.C. 20357 REPORT of the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION of the LATENT FINGERPRINT SECTION YOUR FILE NO. 44-1114 44-38861 August 30, 1988 FBI FILE NO .: 44-38861 LATENAT CASE NO. 91075 TO: SAC, Chicago MURKIN RE: CR Airtel 8-23-68 REFERENCE: EXAMINATION REQUESTED BY: Chicago EXAMIMATION REQUIRED BY: Eight payroll checks of Indian Trail Restaurant, Inc ., SPECIMENS: Q98 through Q405 Employee's Withholding Exemption Certificate, Q408 Specimens examined and one latent fingerprint of value developed on check, Q404. See attached page for result of comparison. Specimens enclosed. Laboratory report separate. SCHEDICED INDEXER. Enc. (8) SECURED INDEPENDER. Memphis (44-1987) V AHS-1-1833 FBI-1 MEMPHIS H John Edgore-Hovey, Director Bagle B.B THIS REPORT IS FURNISHED FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI forensic investigations into the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on latent fingerprint analysis, handwriting comparisons, and evidence collection. Latent fingerprints on a payroll check dated 5/29/68 matched James Earl Ray’s known prints, while other specimens—including exemption certificates, rooming house ledgers, registration cards, and maps—contained signatures attributed to "John L. Rayns" or "John Larry Rayms," which the FBI linked to JER. Forensic analysis of a 1966 Ford Mustang examined on April 11, 1968, at the FBI Garage in Atlanta included tire types, serial numbers, clothing items, tools, and soil samples. A search of a rooming house in Atlanta (113 Fourteenth Street) uncovered maps, food products, and a knife, some submitted for fingerprint analysis. Soil comparisons indicated that car debris did not match samples from the assassination scene or other locations. The FBI coordinated witness preparation between Memphis and Los Angeles field offices, involving travel to London, Mexico City, Montreal, and Toronto for testimony. Specimens were analyzed by the FBI Laboratory, with latent prints on a map of Mexico (Q194) matching those found on firearms linked to the investigation.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (JER): Central suspect; fingerprint match confirmed on a payroll check.  
- John L. Rayns/John Larry Rayms: Names associated with signatures on specimens linked to JER.  
- James D. Garner: Rooming house operator who consented to the search in Atlanta.  
- EKIE STARVO: Suspect associated with the storage room searched in Atlanta.  
- John Edgar Hoover: FBI Director referenced in administrative sections.  
- SAC (Special Agent in Charge, Atlanta): Oversaw forensic and investigative activities.  
- Robert M. Barrett, William A. Saucier, Neil P. Shanahan, Henry A. Snow, Jack N. Sterson, Richard H. Davis, Carl N. Claborn: FBI agents involved in evidence collection and analysis.  

Key Locations  
- Birmingham, Alabama: Site of Aeromarine Supply Company (firearms investigation) and Birmingham Trust National Bank (financial records).  
- Memphis, Tennessee: FBI field office coordinating witness preparation and evidence review.  
- Atlanta, Georgia: FBI Garage (vehicle examination), 113 Fourteenth Street (rooming house search).  
- Los Angeles, California: Locations referenced for witness testimony and evidence collection (e.g., St. Francis Hotel, Home Service Laundry).  
- Washington, D.C.: FBI headquarters mentioned in administrative headers.  
- London, Mexico City, Montreal, Toronto: Cities where witnesses provided statements for potential trials.  

Key Events  
- Latent fingerprint analysis confirmed JER’s thumbprint on a payroll check dated 5/29/68.  
- Examination of a 1966 Ford Mustang (license plate 1-38393) at the FBI Garage in Atlanta, including tire types, serial numbers, and soil samples.  
- Search of a rooming house in Atlanta (113 Fourteenth Street) yielded maps, food products, and a knife for forensic analysis.  
- Soil comparisons indicated car debris did not match samples from the assassination scene or other locations.  
- Forensic examination of specimens (clothing items, maps, firearms) for latent fingerprints, soil composition, and textile analysis.  
- Coordination between Memphis and Los Angeles FBI offices to prepare witnesses for trial, including travel to London, Mexico City, Montreal, and Toronto.  
- Comparison of latent prints from a map of Mexico (Q194) with those found on firearms linked to the investigation.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted forensic analyses, coordinated field offices, and prepared witnesses for trial.  
- FBI Laboratory: Processed specimens for latent fingerprint comparisons, soil analysis, and textile examination.  
- Aeromarine Supply Company: Birmingham-based business investigated for firearms transactions.  
- Birmingham Trust National Bank: Associated with safe deposit box rentals and financial records.  
- Los Angeles Police Department/Field Offices: Involved in evidence collection and witness testimony coordination.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_84-03-part_3_of_6.pdf

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