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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. V - Page 90« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Dr. Alfred G. Olivier)

Mr. Specter.
And how do the two major fragments in 857 compare, then, with the fragments heretofore identified as 567 and 569?
Dr. OLIVIER. They are quite similar.
Mr. Specter.
Do you have an opinion as to whether the wound on the Governor's wrist could have been caused by a fragment of a bullet coming off of the President's head?
Dr. OLIVIER. I don't believe so. Frankly, I don't know, but I don't believe so, because it expended so much energy in blowing the head apart and took a lot of energy that I doubt if they could have fractured the radius. The radius is a very strong, hard bone and I don't believe they could have done that much damage. I believe they could have caused a superficial laceration on someone or a mark on the windshield, but I don't believe they could have done that damage to the wrist.
Mr. Dulles.
And it couldn't have then gone through the wrist into the thigh?
Dr. OLIVIER. I don't believe so.
Mr. Specter.
Have you had an opportunity to examine a fragment identified as Commission Exhibit 842 which is the fragment taken from Governor Connally's wrist?
Dr. OLIVIER. Yes, I have.
Mr. Specter.
Could that fragment have come from the bullet designated as Commission Exhibit 399?
Dr. OLIVIER. Yes, I believe it would have, I will add further I believe it could have because the core of the bullet extrudes through the back and would allow part of it to break off very readily.
Mr. Specter.
Do you have an opinion as to whether, in fact, bullet 399 did cause the wound on the Governor's wrist, assuming if you will that it was the missile found on the Governor's stretcher at Parkland Hospital?
Dr. OLIVIER. I believe that it was. That is my feeling.
Mr. Specter.
To be certain that the record is complete on the skull tests, would you again state the distance at which those tests were performed?
Dr. OLIVIER. Yes, the skulls--it was fired at the skulls at a range of 90 yards.
Mr. Specter.
With what gun?
Dr. OLIVIER. The 6.5 mm. Carcano which was marked Commission Exhibit 139 and using Western ammunition lot 6,000, again the 6.5 mm. Mannlicher-Carcano.
Mr. Specter.
Going to the results of the test on the cadavers, what was the average exit velocity?
Dr. OLIVIER. The average exit velocity on the wrist was 1,776 feet per second.
Mr. Specter.
Had Governor Connally's wrist been struck with a pristine bullet and the bullet exited at that speed, what damage would have been inflicted had it then struck the area of the thigh which was struck on the Governor according to the Parkland Hospital records which you have said you have examined?
Dr. OLIVIER. It would have made a very severe wound.
Mr. Specter.
Would it have been more severe than the one which was inflicted?
Dr. OLIVIER. Much more so.
Mr. Specter.
Do you have anything to add, Dr. Olivier, which you think would be helpful to the Commission in any way?
Dr. OLIVIER. No; I don't believe so.
Mr. Dulles.
I have no further questions.
Mr. Specter.
That completes my questions, Mr. Dulles.
Mr. Dulles.
Thank you very much. We appreciate very much your coming.
(Discussion off the record.)

Dr. Arthur J. Dziemian

Testimony of Dr. Arthur J. Dziemian

Mr. Specter.
Dr. Dziemian.
Mr. Dulles.
Doctor, will you raise your right hand, please? Do you solemnly swear the testimony you give in this proceeding is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
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