21-07-2014, 05:30 PM
Drew Phipps Wrote:Part of the problem with the autopsy is that the official description of the back wound IS oval: 6 mm by 4 mm. Since bullet holes of entrance may be somewhat smaller than the bullet itself, as the skin is elastic, I could get behind the idea that a 6.7 mm bullet could leave a 6 mm hole. But I can't get behind the idea that a round bullet 6.7 mm in diameter could leave a oval hole with a minor axis measurement of only 4 mm.
But if you believe that a 6.7 mm bullet could leave a 4 mm hole (60%), then you must also believe that this bullet struck JFK while tumbling, or at an angle, that the bullet's "apparent" size in the long direction was around 10 mm (if you assume that the resiliency of the skin is the same in a "north-south" direction as it is in an "east-west" direction). Looks like to me that requires a 3 cm long bullet entering at a 30 degree angle from the horizontal.
Upon further reflection, if you assume not that the resiliency is proportional, but absolute (namely that 1.35 mm of JFK's skin along the edge of the bullet hole would "bounce back" (to give us a small axis of 4 mm) then the large axis of the bullet's apparent size as it enters the skin is 8.7 mm. Which is an angle of 3.8 degrees from the horizontal.
Alas, I am not a doctor, and can't tell you which of these scenarios is more likely from a medical standpoint. However, neither of these angles appear to match the apparent angle of entry of 45 - 60 degrees observed by the autopsy physicians.
Hi Drew
A 4mm x 6mm entrance wound is not indicative of a tumbling bullet, even on the remote chance it struck JFK in mid-tumble and either the nose or base of the bullet miraculously was the first thing to hit. Although it is remotely possible for this to occur, we have to remember the bullet would still be tumbling as it entered, and there would be much evidence of flesh being torn up as the bullet tumbled inside the wound entrance.
I hate to contradict you all of the time but, neat little entrance wounds are made by bullets travelling straight and true, not tumbling bullets.
Mr. HILL. The right rear portion of his head was missing. It was lying in the rear seat of the car. His brain was exposed. There was blood and bits of brain all over the entire rear portion of the car. Mrs. Kennedy was completely covered with blood. There was so much blood you could not tell if there had been any other wound or not, except for the one large gaping wound in the right rear portion of the head.
Warren Commission testimony of Secret Service Agent Clinton J. Hill, 1964
Warren Commission testimony of Secret Service Agent Clinton J. Hill, 1964