ABSTRACT
This chapter responds to conspiracists Gary Aguilar and David Mantik who claim that the autopsy evidence—its photographs, X-rays, and final report—are elaborate forgeries intended to cover up the existence of a massive exit wound at the back of John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK)’s head, and hence of a second gunman. The chapter highlights several examples of circular reasoning in the conspiracists’ interpretation of autopsy evidence and eyewitness testimonies. Also discussed are the descriptions of Kennedy’s wounds by emergency doctors in Dallas, the competence and professionalism of the autopsy staff at Bethesda Naval Hospital, JFK’s numerous health problems, the alleged existence of a second set of undoctored autopsy photos, and the case of the president’s missing brain.
