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SUMMARY OF INVESTIGATION, BOMBING OF 16TH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, - SEPTEMBER 15, 1963 .- I, PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AT SCENE ‘ A complete crime scene was conducted with the aid of laboratory experts and Bureau Agents. The scene was protected by the Birmingham Police Department by roping off the area and placing armed guards, ; a. An examination of the material, consisting of wood, metal, and masonry located in the vicinity of the explosion forwarded to the FBI Laboratory failed to iden- ‘tify the type of explosive due to a lack of residue, b. No fragments of a mechanical timing device, fuse, or blasting caps were found, It should be noted, however, that a small red plastic and wire piece was located at the crime scene and was identified as part of a fishing bobber, II. CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY OF PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION Ul ‘ . : - . A complete neighborhood embracing several blocks in each direction from the church was conducted. Interviews in this area number’ in the hundreds. The owners of all license numbers recorded by persons on the bomb site 9/15/63, aS well as those recorded by Bureau Agents during the perti- nent time the two Sundays following, as well as interview of all stores open in the vicinity at the pertinent time, was conducted. Automobile owners were identified and interviewed as to reasons why they were in the vicinity and for investi. _ gative leads. ; : The church has a membership roster of 400 names. Of these, about 150 were in attendunce at the time of the bombing. All have been located ana 1 interviewed, but nothing pertinent developed. .