Introduction to the Kennedy Assassination Myths

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy remains one of the most controversial events in American history. Among the many theories, one common misconception is that a bullet fired from a side position could have caused the fatal wound to President Kennedy. This article aims to debunk this myth by examining the evidence provided by the Zapruder film and other expert analyses.

Evidence from the Zapruder Film

The Zapruder film captures the event comprehensively, and it is critical in determining the angles and trajectories of the shots. According to the film, the head shot on President Kennedy happened at a nearly 90-degree angle from the right grassy knoll. This cinematic evidence is crucial in understanding the perspective from which the shots were fired.

Photographer Abraham Zapruder, who captured the event on his 16mm film, positioned himself at a specific angle that provided a clear view of the events. The knoll, which is a crucial landmark in the photographs and film, served as a reference point for the trajectory of the shots. The film unequivocally shows that a shot that entered the front of the head and exited at the back could not have originated from the side but must have come from the right rear.

Ballistic Analysis and Expert Opinions

To further support the analysis of the Zapruder film, it is essential to consider the ballistic evidence. The article "Computational ballistic analysis of the cranial shot to John F. Kennedy," published in J. Forensic Science International, provides an objective overview of the incident. Ballistic studies indicate that the trajectory of the bullet that struck President Kennedy's head aligns with the evidence from the Zapruder film.

The authors of the study analyzed the physics behind the shooting and concluded that a bullet fired from the side would not be able to exit the head from the rear. The entrance and exit points of the bullet, as evidenced in the Zapruder film, align perfectly with a shot originating from the right rear location nearby the Texas School Book Depository.

Forensic analysts have agreed upon this conclusion based on their examination of the angle and trajectory of the bullet. The film's angle, depicted by Zapruder, shows a direct hit originating from a low position in front of the car, further supporting the notion that the shots came from the left front, not the side or from a different angle.

The Location and Positioning of the Shooter

Thorough investigation and analysis have consistently pointed to the Texas School Book Depository as the location of the shooter. Multiple coroners and forensic analysts who have reviewed the film have concluded that the shots were fired from the right rear, above and behind President Kennedy. This conclusion is based on the evidence from the Zapruder film and the physical analysis of the bullet trajectory.

It is crucial to emphasize the expertise of these professionals over any layperson's assumptions. Experts in the field of forensics and ballistic analysis have the necessary knowledge and tools to conduct a precise analysis of such a complex event. Therefore, relying on their conclusions is more appropriate than speculating without concrete evidence.

Conclusion

The iconic Zapruder film, along with extensive ballistic analysis, provides irrefutable evidence that the shots fired at President John F. Kennedy originated from a specific angle, not from the side. The film's perspective and the conclusions drawn by forensic analysts from the Texas School Book Depository confirm that the shots came from the right rear, which is crucial for understanding the historical context of this tragic event.