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"Additional Tests" During the lengthy and thorough cross examination, the several experts stated that they felt nothing further could be added by any further analysis or sophisticated tests, especially lead and gun powder examination. A neutron activation analysis, as so often requested by some of the critics, would in the opinion of Courtland Cunningham, be of limited value due to the condition of the several bullets. Additionally, several of the experts felt that since there were minute differences in the dimensions among the manufacturers of .22 caliber barrels, any bore diameter and rifling analysis, and any micromeasurements of the bullets, might be conclusive only as to differences in barrels. They argued that since there was always a Slight difference in the manufacturing of ammunition, a neutron activation of the lead would not be conclusive as to any identification. This was because neutron activation dealt with the tiniest of fragments. In the matter of chemical tests, the experts felt that these would be inferior to any neutron activition test. A trace metal analysis of the bullet lead could be of value in certain cases, but in the case at hand, the experts felt that in dealing with the type of poliow point explesive mini-mag ammunition, it would not be useful. The panel did not positively rule out the possibility of a second gun. But they all felt that they had never been asked to make an examination as to the number of shots fired, the number of bullet holes, or trajectory studies. The experts seemed reluctant to even discuss these issues on cross examinations. Several did state that given particular new evidence and factual situations where such studies could be positively made, they might be inclined to see the need for further tests. But the opinion of most of the experts was that nothing of a conclusive nature could be established by further testing. Essentially, additional tests would not solve the question of which bullets had caused which holes, and would not in any way answer any of the more elaborate tra dnnteaestr eaewiasctrsa = a nee in ie es slliates trajectory requests to determine if there had been more bullets fired. Petitioner Schrade's attorneys argued in favor of neutron activation tests to determine the metallic constituencies of bullets since each batch of lead contained a certain alloy. They argued that if the particular lead bullet did not match up, and had a different form of element, there would be a reascnable inference of a second gun. However, the experts felt that even if the metallie constituencies of the several bullets did not match up, there wa 1 &alavanauw ¢an fhie dia tA tha fact that several of sie 8S no reali resevancy tO this Gue to tne tact that sev o1 the bullets coming from Cascade copper-coated brand might have different metallic constituency in their alloy. Finally, the experts stated there was a limit to a test since it never really would determine whether the Sirhan gun had fired the bullets. It would only be an analysis to determine what type of ammunition had been used. The experts concluded such a test would never actually link the bullet to the Sirhan weapon because the bullets would always have some form of different constituency. A neutron activation test would be helpful only in cases where the actual asi wiit} we 2 weapon had been lost or destroyed. -72 - f