BONES OF CONTENTION
by Enid Gray, Australia (Copyright - March 1999)
Why do authors continue to print Autopsy photograph No. 44 displaying the skull defect in President Kennedy's head the wrong way around?
Recently, I borrowed two books written by different authors, who are regarded by many assassination researchers as experts in their field. This is indeed high praise. Yet both men who are profilic writers, make the identical mistake by reprinting autopsy photograph numbered 44 incorrectly. Agreed, they are not the only writers who have done so, but as a former nurse who has witnessed autopsies first hand, I find this re-occurring error infuriating. It's also inexcusable, for the outcome is far too important to allow any author to continually print anatomical errors that misdirect us all.
It is not necessary to have a degree in forensics or be a brain surgeon to appreciate that the skull is a remarkable rigid structure that encloses the brain completely. There are countless clear photographs, illustrations and plastic models available for us to see what it looks like. Some are detailed enough that they show us exactly where on the skull a bone is situated.
To understand what happens at an autopsy during the procedure to remove the brain it will be necessary to read David Liftons book "Best Evidence". Illustrated on page 441 (of Best Evidence) is a diagram showing the head with a dotted line. This is the area on the scalp that the skin is cut by the pathologist. The skin is then peeled over the forehead where it sits above the eyes not unlike a roll of pastry. Knowing that, you'll realise that the correct way to orientate the autopsy photograph is to turn the page around so what was once on the left side of the page is now against the midriff, i.e. the photo is to be turned 90 degrees anticlockwise. You're now looking into the cavity of the empty of the empty skull. The fractured head bones are clearly visible as is the bevelled edge of an exit hole caused by a bullet. The photograph was taken from an anterior-superior position, which means from the front to the back. What both authors describe as the left hand side of the head is actually reflected scalp sitting on the forehead.
Using your powers of observation re-examine the photo the right way around. You will notice a ruler measuring the defect and gloved fingers which appear to be supporting the back of the skull very near the blurry outline of a shoulder. The cranium is empty so it's important to remember that this is how the skull looked after the pathlogists removed the brain. The thickness of the cracked skull bones demonstrates that they are more likely situated at the rear of the head. Now look at the area below the bone containing the semi-circular notch and notice the reflected scalp. This roll of skin is a very important feature. Because it's the practice of pathologists to reflect the scalp over the face when removing the brain at an autopsy and not sideways, this feature clearly establishes that this autopsy photograph, when oriented correctly, was taken from the front. Any other placement makes no sense.
It's no bloody wonder that the autopsy of President Kennedy still remains clouded in confusion. Maybe in the future, authors will consult with a few medical experts before leaping into print and re-arranging the human body. They may even be concientious enough to observe an autopsy in progress. Maybe then they'll stop printing their version of Autopsy photograph 44 that leads us all astray.
