We did this because, as Mr. Latona has indicated, such prints may disappear over a period of time. We thought it might be well for the record to indicate that we saw them. If you wish to do the same----
Representative Boggs.
I would like to do the same, having just seen it.
Mr. Dulles.
The witness has certified to the fact that these are true photographs of the prints that we have seen.
Representative Boggs.
And the witness has also certified that those are Oswald's prints?
Mr. Latona.
No; I cannot certify to that.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Do you want to explain that?
Mr. Latona.
As I am not the one that fingerprinted Oswald, I cannot tell from my own personal knowledge that those are actually the fingerprints of Lee Harvey Oswald.
Mr. Eisenberg.
But you can certify that those prints are identical with the prints on the card which bears the name of Lee Harvey Oswald which was furnished to you?
Mr. Latona.
That is right.
Mr. Eisenberg.
We will get other evidence in the record at a subsequent time to show those were the prints of Oswald. Mr. Latona, you were saying that you had worked over that rifle by applying a gray powder to it. Did you develop any fingerprints?
Mr. Latona.
I was not successful in developing any prints at all on the weapon. I also had one of the firearms examiners dismantle the weapon and I processed the complete weapon, all parts, everything else. And no latent prints of value were developed.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Does that include the clip?
Mr. Latona.
That included the clip, that included the bolt, it included the underside of the barrel which is covered by the stock.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Were cartridge cases furnished to you at that time?
Mr. Latona.
They were, which I processed, and from which I got no prints.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Therefore, the net result of your work on Exhibit 139 was that you could not produce an identifiable print?
Mr. Latona.
That's correct.
Mr. Dulles.
May I ask one question? Does the Secret Service do fingerprinting work, or do they turn it over to you--turn to you for all of that?
Mr. Latona.
I think they do some of their own, and on occasion we will do some for them, too. Primarily I think they do their own. I am not too familiar with the Secret Service as to how elaborate their laboratory is.
Mr. Eisenberg.
So as of November 23, you had not found an identifiable print on Exhibit 139?
Mr. Latona.
That is right.
Mr. Eisenberg.
I now hand you a small white card marked with certain initials and with a date, "11-22-63." There is a cellophane wrapping, cellophane tape across this card with what appears to be a fingerprint underneath it, and the handwriting underneath that tape is "off underside of gun barrel near end of foregrip C 2766," which I might remark parenthetically is the serial number of Exhibit 139. I ask you whether you are familiar with this item which I hand you, this card?
Mr. Latona.
Yes; I am familiar with this particular exhibit.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Can you describe to us what that exhibit consists of, that item rather?
Mr. Latona.
This exhibit Or this item is a lift of a latent palmprint which was evidently developed with black powder.
Mr. Eisenberg.
And when did you receive this item?
Mr. Latona.
I received this item November 29, 1963.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Before we go any further may I have this admitted into evidence?
Representative Ford.
It will be. What is the number?
Mr. Eisenberg.
That will be No. 637.
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 637, and received in evidence.)
Mr. Eisenberg.
Mr. Latona, could you describe to us what a lift is?
