</s>Robert F. Kennedy 68-573 8 The tertorium cerebelli shows no defects in its central portions. The durra was lacerated over a small area over the right supra-orbital plate where a curved fracture was present as mentioned above. The superior sagittal sinus, left transverse sinus , left sigmoid sinus and cavernous sinuses are inspected and reveal no evidence of thrombosis or laceration. The right trans- inverse and signoid sinuses do not appear to be damaged in posterior and signid sinuses or not appear on the anterior in posterior or bitt, but caution marks are on and close to these sinuses which contain dark blood clot. Examination of the arteries of the brain stem and cerebellum reveals a right vertebral artery that is smaller than the left. The basal artery measures 3 mm in diameter and is slightly tortuous. The anterior inferior inferior artery is normal and slightly tortuous, the anterior inferior artery has a normal distribution and show no evidence of trauma injury. The left superior cerebellar artery is intact. The cerebellial artery and lateral artery are involved in the coronal artery of the cerebral cortex is involved in this cortical contusion and lacerations of the cerebellium and many of its deeper branches have been damaged by the penetrating bullet and bone fragments. All of the remaining blood vessels of the Brain stem, cerebellulum and cerebral hemispheres have normal distribution and show very slight atherosclerosis. There is no evidence or injury except for the areas of contusions and lacersations. The cranial nerves are all intact. C. Cerebrum. Slight depression of the Cerebral cortex is noted over both posterior frontal and partial convexities in the areas beneath the subural hemorrhage that is described above. The sight cerebral hemisphere is slightly larger than the right cerebal hemisphere is lightly larger than those with prominent on the right than on the left. However, there is no evidence on the hemispheric of the cingulate gyri beneath the falx. The gyri over both cerebral convexites are flattened. When the brain is inspected from the central aspect, three areas of the contusion-laceration can be seen in the cortex of the left hemisphere has been seen in a context of the light-laser hemisphere measures 3 cm. It consists of the left, the lateral hemisphere measures 4 x 3 cm, It consists of superficial and deep lacerATIONS and contusions of the mesial half of the posterior one-third of the right inferior 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document provides a detailed forensic and medical analysis of Robert F. Kennedy’s postmortem examination following his assassination on June 5, 1968. The autopsy focused on the brain, cranial structures, and associated injuries, revealing extensive cerebral contusions, lacerations, hemorrhages, and penetration by a metallic fragment. Key findings include damage to the right temporal lobe, cerebellum, brainstem, and meninges; multiple cortical and subcortical hemorrhages; and a 6 x 3 x 2 mm irregular gray metallic fragment identified as a bullet fragment. X-ray examinations from June 6–8, 1968, documented numerous metallic foreign bodies in the skull, brain, and surrounding tissues, including fragments embedded in the temporal bone, cerebellum, and meninges. Postmortem radiographs detailed the removal of bony and metallic fragments. The spinal cord showed no gross lesions but had subarachnoid blood staining. Microscopic analysis revealed congestion, petechial hemorrhages, and early neuronal damage.  

The autopsy also identified three gunshot wounds: a through-and-through injury to the right axillary region and anterior chest (bullet recovered near the sixth thoracic vertebra), a deformed 22-caliber bullet in the upper back, and an unspecified first wound. Triangulation analysis of wound angles was conducted, along with microscopic examination of gunshot wounds and bullet fragments. Clothing items, including a suit coat, trousers, shirt, and tie, were analyzed for bullet penetration and bloodstains. The autopsy was performed at Good Samaritan Medical Center in Los Angeles by Dr. Thomas T. Noguchi, assisted by other medical personnel.  

Additional forensic investigations included test firings conducted on June 11, 1968, using a weapon and ammunition provided by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to simulate gunshot wound patterns. Observations noted fabric damage at varying muzzle distances (e.g., 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch, 3 inches). Radiographic and photographic studies of brain specimens were performed on June 7–8, 1968, using infrared and black-and-white imaging to analyze trauma and ballistic evidence. Toxicology and microbiological analyses of bodily fluids and tissues ruled out poisoning or infectious causes. Blood typing confirmed Kennedy’s ABO group as A, Rh positive.  

Key People  
- Robert F. Kennedy (victim)  
- Dr. Thomas T. Noguchi (Chief Medical Examiner)  
- Dr. John B. Holloway (Deputy Medical Examiner)  
- Dr. Abraham T. L. Mu (Deputy Medical Examiner, Neuropathology)  
- Dr. R. L. Scanlan (Radiologist)  
- Sergeant W. Jordan (Los Angeles Police Department)  
- Henry M. Cuneo, M.D. (Neurosurgeon in charge of autopsy team)  
- Colonel Pierre A. Fink (Chief of Military Environmental Pathology Division at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology)  
- Dr. James Poppen, Dr. J. A. Kernen, Dr. Victor J. Rosen, Dr. Richard Kotke, Dr. Edward Day (medical and forensic observers)  

Key Locations  
- Good Samaritan Medical Center, Los Angeles, California  
- Ambassador Hotel (scene of assassination)  
- Sixth thoracic vertebra (bullet recovery site)  
- Hall of Justice, Los Angeles (location of toxicology and microbiological analyses)  

Key Events  
- Postmortem examination of Robert F. Kennedy’s body on June 5–6, 1968  
- Recovery of a deformed 22-caliber bullet at the sixth thoracic vertebra  
- Triangulation analysis of gunshot wound angles  
- Clothing examination revealing bullet paths and bloodstains  
- Autopsy conducted on June 6, 1968, starting at 3:30 A.M.  
- Test firings conducted on June 11, 1968, using LAPD-provided weapon and ammunition  
- Radiographic studies of brain specimens on June 7–8, 1968  
- Toxicology and microbiological analyses to rule out poisoning or infectious causes  
- Histopathological analysis of tissue samples from various organs (lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, etc.)  

Key Organizations  
- Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) – Rampart Detectives, Scientific Investigation Division  
- Coroner’s Office, County of Los Angeles  
- Good Samaritan Medical Center  
- Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP)  
- Federal agencies involved in declassification (reference to Executive Order 14176)

RFK Declassified Files

62-hq-587_bulky_1208_sec_002_ser1208only-part_13_of_17.pdf

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