Immediate Answer: The Entry Wound in the Posterior Right Rear Skull
John F. Kennedy was shot in the head by a rear-entry gunshot to the right rear portion of the skull, above the right ear, while riding in the motorcade through Dealey Plaza. The official autopsy and evidence documentation describe a massive defect on the right posterior and superior aspects of the skull, with the trajectory indicating an approximate 30–40 degree downward angle from behind and above. The primary source materials include the Bethesda autopsy notes and photographs, the FBI and Parkland Hospital records, and the subsequent Warren Commission and House Select Committee hearings and tests.
Key Medical and Evidentiary Details
The entry wound was located in the right rear skull, and the exit was a large, irregular defect on the right frontotemporal side of the skull. The trajectory suggested a single bullet theory involving an assailant positioned behind and to the right of the limousine at the time of firing. Autopsy photographs show extensive damage to the right hemisphere and calvarium, with a posterior defect measuring a few inches in diameter. Ballistic tests and medical imaging have informed later analyses but remain subject to interpretation and debate among experts.
Summary Table: Core Evidentiary Attributes
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomical Location | Right posterior and superior skull above the ear | Autopsy report |
| Entry vs Exit | Posterior entry; large right-sided exit | Autopsy and imaging |
| Estimated Trajectory Angle | Downward 30–40 degrees, rear to front | Ballistic analysis |
| Consistent Single Bullet Theory | One bullet traversed both Kennedy and Connally | Warren Commission tests |
| Available Visual Evidence | Autopsy photos and notes; contemporaneous film frames | Government records |
Primary Source Materials and Documentation
The authoritative record comes from the Bethesda autopsy materials, supplemented by FBI field reports, Dallas police logs, and Parkland Hospital treatment notes. The Warren Commission reviewed ballistics tests, photographic evidence, and witness statements, while the House Select Committee on Assassinations re‑examined evidence with additional forensic consultation. Together, these form the evidentiary baseline for understanding the head shot location and trajectory.
Clarifying Common Misconceptions
Misinformation often conflates the back-and-neck injury with the head wound or suggests multiple head shots where the record shows one major cranial injury from a rear entry. Film footage shows the head snap rearward, consistent with a forward momentum change from a rear impact, not a frontal shot. Distinguishing between entry and exit defects, and between skull fracture patterns and soft tissue damage, helps clarify the actual wound profile.
Context: Medical and Ballistic Interpretation
Medical interpretations of the head wound have evolved with advances in radiology and biomechanics, yet core anatomical findings remain consistent: a right rear cranial defect with expansive outward fracture. Ballistic reconstructions continue to test single‑bullet versus multiple‑assailant scenarios, with most peer‑reviewed studies supporting a rear shooter consistent with Lee Harvey Oswald’s location in the Texas School Book Depository. Replication of damage patterns and comparison with similar trauma cases remain central to ongoing analysis.
Reliable Information Practices and Source Evaluation
For enduring clarity, prioritize autopsy summaries, official commission reports, and peer‑reviewed forensic literature over speculative commentary. Evaluate sources by methodological transparency, access to primary materials, and consistency across independent reviews. This approach supports long‑term accuracy rather than momentary narratives, ensuring that conclusions about the head wound remain anchored in verifiable evidence.
Evergreen Takeaways
- The head wound was a posterior right rear entry above the ear with a large right-sided exit.
- Ballistic and medical analyses favor a rear‑firing trajectory consistent with the Texas School Book Depository.
- Core evidence includes the Bethesda autopsy, FBI and Parkland records, and the Warren and HSCA reports.
- Understanding the distinction between entry and exit defects reduces confusion from conflicting visual accounts.
- Continued study of medical and ballistic data sustains reliable interpretations over time.
By focusing on verified documentation and transparent methodology, this explanation remains relevant as new analyses emerge, providing a durable foundation for understanding where JFK was shot in the head and why the evidence supports that conclusion.