Would you discuss that photograph briefly, Mr. Nicol?
Mr. Nicol. This represents a new position of Q-1 and K-1 in a match relationship. Both have been rotated simultaneously through the same angle, and looking at the bottom this time, the large broad area represents a land impression.
Then coming up to a point approximately a half inch above the land edge there is a deep groove paired up with several other deep indentations. These are worth noting because these represented very prominent index marks on both Q-1, Q-2, and Q-3. This was used as, you might say, a point of departure in lining up the projectiles. And again this shows what I would consider evidence of similarity between the rifling impressions on both projectiles.
Mr. Dulles. You wouldn't go further than that—"evidence of similarity"?
Mr. Nicol. Well, I would go so far as to say that based upon the individual characteristics that I observed, these, plus those shown on the other photograph, would lead me to the opinion that they were fired in the same gun.
When I refer to similarities, these would be individual characteristics which would be in the same category as the individual points of identification on a fingerprint. This would be tantamount to the fingerprint of that particular weapon.
Mr. Eisenberg. This is the third photograph?
Mr. Nicol. This is a third photograph of another very prominent mark on both projectiles.
Mr. Eisenberg. Taken by you, Mr. Nicol?
Mr. Nicol. Right.