Authors

Paul L. Kirk

Document Type

Post-Trial Motion

Date

April 26, 1955

Case Title

State v. Sheppard, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Case No. 64571

Box Number

44

Item Number

SD37

Keywords

Kirk investigation, Paul L. Kirk, blood spatter, blood on watch, blood on defendant's clothing, blood of third person, blood stain on closet door, criminal profiling, sex attack, murder weapon

Abstract

Dr. Paul Leeland Kirk, professor of Criminalistics, stated in his affidavit that he examined the crime scene, various pieces of evidence held by the prosecutor and police, and blood samples collected and mailed to him. His investigation began on January 22, 1955 and continued for several months. Dr. Kirk used blood spatter analysis to conclude that:

1. The murderer was left-handed (Sam Sheppard was right-handed)

2. From injuries to the victim's teeth, the victim had bitten the attacker's hand

3. A large bloodstain on the wardrobe door was likely from the attacker's bloody hand

4. Testing of the large blood stain showed it did not match that of Sam or Marilyn Sheppard, so the attacker must have been a third person

5. The murder weapon was a cylindrical object, such as a pipe or flashlight--not a a surgical instrument, as asserted by the Coroner

Dr. Kirk surmised that the physical evidence demonstrated that the crime was a sexual assault.

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