Before the luncheon—are there any further questions along this line?
Before the luncheon recess we were talking about the paraffin test and we were discussing the significance of a positive result, and you had given testimony concerning two experiments which the FBI had run which indicated that positive results might be obtained even by a person who had not recently fired a weapon?
Mr. Cunningham. That is correct.
Mr. Eisenberg. A paraffin test was also run of Oswald's cheek and it produced a negative result.
Mr. Cunningham. Yes.
Mr. Eisenberg. Do your tests, or do the tests which you ran, or your experience with revolvers and rifles, cast any light on the significance of a negative result being obtained on the right cheek?
Mr. Cunningham. No, sir; I personally wouldn't expect to find any residues on a person's right cheek after firing a rifle due to the fact that by the very principles and the manufacture and the action, the cartridge itself is sealed into the chamber by the bolt being closed behind it, and upon firing the case, the cartridge case expands into the chamber filling it up and sealing it off from the gases, so none will come back in your face, and so by its very nature, I would not expect to find residue on the right cheek of a shooter.
Mr. Eisenberg. Would you expect to find residues on a person who has fired a revolver such as Commission Exhibit 143?
Mr. Cunningham. There again, by its design, you would expect to find something, although there are cases where you won't find it.
Mr. Eisenberg. Why do you expect to find a residue in the case of the revolver as opposed to the rifle?