To SAC Seattle re extensive NORJAK file review and investigative recommendations

SAC, SEATTLE (164-81)(P) (5/30/72)

SAs [REDACTED] b6 b7C NORJAK OO: SEATTLE

---

Re: Bureau airtel to Seattle, 5/17/72.

Pursuant to instructions contained in referenced airtel, an extensive file review of captioned case was conducted by the writers from May 22 - 26, 1972. Among files reviewed were main volumes, numbers 1-47, subfiles designated for a particular area of interest, i.e. parachutes, witnesses, course; I-A volumes and numerous suspect sub- files. In addition, physical evidence as available was reviewed for pertinent investigative leads.

Information set forth following the file review has been arranged according to the headings used in the table of contents found in the report of SA CHARLES E. FARRELL, dated February 16, 1972, with the exception of a brief hijacker profile.

---

PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

Black Snap-On Tie and Tie Tack

An examination of the tie by the writers revealed noticeable amounts of dust lodged in the inner knot area. In addition to the markings "3 Penneys", two other labels were found as follows: "Snapper Pat. 2972750. It's a snap to snap on"; and "100% Dacron Polyester Washable RN 16484". From writers' experience in Theft From Interstate Shipment cases involving Penneys merchandise, it is known that the RN number is a manufacturer's code. Penneys headquarters will be able to determine where the tie was manufactured, when imported and which stores sold this tie.

---

(4) WRM/JLD/slb

DB Cooper-32171

SE 164-81

It is recommended that the Lab be requested to examine this tie, particularly, the dust particles lodged [illegible] in the inner knot area, to determine if it is possible to determine what area of the country this tie has been in.

---

It is recommended that a lead be set out for New [guess: York] York to contact [REDACTED] Foreign Buying Department, J. C. Penney Co., 1301 Avenue of The Americas, regarding distribution of neck tie number RN 16484, ie. which Penney stores sold this model. In the event [REDACTED] does not have needed information, it is suggested the specific buyer of neck ties for Penneys in [REDACTED] department be contacted.

---

Magazine and Notebook Paper

[REDACTED] Northwest Airlines, in a search conducted November 25, 1972, of victim airplane, found parts of a magazine and a piece of notebook paper with printing thereon made by a felt marking pen. The Bureau has examined these papers and has found 24 latent fingerprints and 5 latent palm prints of value. It is recommended that since both witnesses [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] and the [REDACTED] [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] observed the unsub write with a felt pen, the notebook paper and magazine parts printing be shown to these witnesses. This should be done to determine if the printing is similar to unsub's and if the felt pen color and characteristics are similar to unsub's.

---

ARTIST'S SKETCH

A review of the testimony of the principal witnesses, including the 3 stewardesses, the 2 Northwest Airline employees (NWA) at Portland, Oregon, and the 5 passengers reflects a general disagreement concerning the accuracy of the artist's sketch. Numerous changes were sug- gested by these witnesses and some were implemented in making up the final artist's sketch. It is noted that a Bureau artist personally interviewed the three stewardesses at Minneapolis, Minnesota and thereafter prepared a re- vised sketch of the hijacker showing him with the dark glasses, which he wore on the airplane, and another sketch, but without the glasses. One key witness, [REDACTED], stewardess, was very adament in her insistence that the artist's conception was not a very good likeness of the hijacker.

SE 164-81

---

It is recommended that a Bureau artist be flown to pertinent divisions, including Minneapolis, Seattle and Portland, and spend sufficient time with the key witnesses until an artist's sketch which is agreeable to the majority of the witnesses can be obtained.

It is recommended that the Color Selection Guide be used to provide details and depth not ordinarily shown in black and white sketches.

It is recommended that the Bureau artist sketch hijacker showing the full face, full face with dark glasses, side profile, and a sketch showing the hijacker in a standing position.. All the sketches should be in color.

In addition to the facial identification guide, color selection guide, the following items should accompany the Bureau artist and assist him in preparing the sketch:

1. The FBI Lab should provide a color profile from the single hair sample submitted previously by the Las Vegas Division, following its discovery on a head towel presumably used by the unsub.

2. The following photographs of "strong suspects" which witnesses have commented about as having the correct eyes, ears, etc., should be included:

---

[REDACTED]

---

b6 b7C

---

Prior to sending the Bureau artist to the various divisions, it is recommended that a letter of appreciation from the Bureau be sent to all pertinent witnesses, ex- pressing Bureau appreciation for their time and effort and indicating desires regarding artist's sketch.

Following the obtaining of an acceptable color artist's sketch, widespread use of these should be made in the following ways:

1. Consideration should be given for another general mailing of new sketches to all law enforcement agencies, banks, etc, that received the old sketches in previous mailings.

---

- 3 -

---

DB Cooper-32173

SE 164-81

---

2. Television and newspaper sources should be recontacted and brought up to date with the new sketches. These sketches, additional news releases, copies of ransom lists as prepared by the Crime Records Division, should be provided to all television and newspaper sources. Space for a color insert in at least one of the major news- papers having daily circulation in Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Los Angeles should be purchased. This insert should contain material prepared by the Crime Records Division and include all four new artist's sketches, pertinent background information and other interesting news- worthy developments, in order to promote widespread public interest resulting in new suspects and possible recovery of some of the ransom money. It is noted that expenses for a newspaper format for ransom lists and accompanying back- ground information were estimated at actual costs of $1,600 for the Seattle Times, Seattle, Washington. Color would, undoubtedly, cost more. Bureau Exhibits Section may be able to cut costs considerably by preparing all material uniformly prior to submission to major newspapers.

---

As a source of continuing value, it is recommended that display or window space be rented for a period of not less than six months at major airports in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas, and that the Exhibits Section prepare hijacking displays, including artist's sketches, photograph models, ransom lists, notices of rewards, etc. It is hoped that this would promote a sense of awareness and develop additional suspects. In view of the fact that this display may be done in such a way as to promote airline security and prevent, or discourage future hijackings, major airlines may wish to share a portion of the expenses. It is noted that traffic at the above major airports would have a heightened awareness of hijackings and would be cognizant of the hijacking problem.

---

EXPERIMENT WITH AIR STAIRS

[REDACTED] has suggested that the hijacker could be someone that worked on the Boeing Engineering Project having to do with the air stairs. [REDACTED] advised this project took place in 1963 and 12-15 engineers worked on it. He only recalls the following:

---

- 4 -

DB Cooper-32174

---

b6 b7c

SE 164-81

---

It is suggested that [REDACTED] [REDACTED] who worked on the Boeing 727 air stairs' project in 1963, be contacted concerning other Boeing employees that worked on that project. These employees should be identified and should be eliminated as possible suspects.

---

DESCRIPTIVE DATA

MATCHBOOK COVER

Regarding the blue matchbook cover marked "Sky Chef" observed by Stewardess [REDACTED] as used by the hi- jacker, it should be noted that Sky Chef is a chain of restaurants serving airports. It is recommended that Portland determine if there is a Sky Chef Restaurant at the Portland Airport (noting that the Sky Chef Restaurants usually have different names) and Portland should determine if this restaurant gives away blue colored matchbooks with Sky Chef written on them. Unsub may have eaten lunch at the Portland Airport Restaurant prior to boarding Northwest Airlines flight 305 and if so, latent fingerprints may be on a meal ticket (bill) for that day. Portland should determine if these tickets are available for November 24, 1971, and determine feasibility of obtaining latents.

---

OLIVE OR LATIN COMPLEXION

Key witnesses generally agree that unsub had an "olive or Latin" complexion. One witness indicated a Mexican-American or possibly Indian complexion and characteristics. In addition, unsub expressed a desire to go "anywhere in Mexico".

It is recommended that all divisions having a concentration of Mexican-American extremists, including Chicanos, Brown Berets, review extremists albums. It is further suggested that revised colored sketches, when obtained, be shown to all pertinent Mexican-American sources.

---

INTERVIEWS WITH KEY WITNESSES

In view of her willingness to cooperate and ability to recall explicit details, it is recommended that [REDACTED] be reinterviewed. [REDACTED] could be reinterviewed in connection with the Bureau artist's interview, at which time the following questions should be asked:

---

- 5 -

---

DB Cooper-32175

SE 164-81

---

1. How did the hijacker secure the money? Did he appear to be going to jump while holding the money package by a handle or did he fix a knapsack arrangement?

2. What was the position of the hijacker when [REDACTED] last saw him as she left the rear of the airplane for the last time? What did the hijacker have around his waist? Was the hijacker attempting to secure himself to the plane by using parachute cords in an attempt to prevent being pulled out of the airplane when opening the rear door? Did the hijacker express a fear to the stewardess that he would be pulled out of the door prematurely?

Experienced parachutists have advised that attempts to hold the money without adequately securing it would probably not be sufficient. Attempts by unsub to secure himself to the plane prior to opening the rear door of the aircraft would indicate a fear of being sucked out of the aircraft as the stewardess feared. This would indicate a lack of knowledge about the Boeing 727 and aircraft in general.

3. What was the level of education of the hijacker as measured in terms of speech, grammar, and mannerisms?

---

AIRPORT, FLY GROUPS, FLIGHT SCHOOLS PARACHUTE CLUBS

In a teletype from San Francisco dated November 26, 1971, San Francisco advised there was no record in files of U.S. Parachute Association, 651 Cannery Row, Monterey, California for names of D. B. COOPER, [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] It is recommended that San Francisco at Monterey review records of the U.S. Parachute Association for names similar, i.e. DAN COOPER and combin- ations such as DANIEL COOPER, DAN (middle initial whatever) COOPER, COOPER DANIELS, etc.

---

EXPLOSIVE DEVICE

SIX OR EIGHT REDDISH STICKS OF "DYNAMITE" 6" to 8" LONG

---

- 6 -

DB Cooper-32176

---

b6 b7C

SE 164-81

---

It is recommended that sources in Washington and Oregon be contacted concerning the sale or theft of that amount and description of dynamite in a time period of up to two weeks prior to November 24, 1971. Sources to be contacted would be such as construction firms, public utilities using dynamite, hardware stores and police departments and sheriff's offices concerning reports of theft of dynamite.

---

HIJACKER PROFILE

Hijacker's clothes may have been unfashionable, since he was wearing a black thin (out of style) snap-on tie and tie clasp. Hijacker's briefcase was described as "cheap" style.

Hijacker's language usage indicates at least a moderate level of education (high school or higher).

Hijacker drinks bourbon and 7-Up, and smokes Raleigh cigarettes.

Hijacker did not appear to be an experienced professional criminal (reportedly his behavior became childish following receipt of money.) The hijacker was familiar with the Seattle area because of several comments he made, such as "we are over Tacoma now" and "McChord Air Force Base is only 20 minutes from SeaTac Airport."

Hijacker did not provide instructions to control air speed, nor to control the direction by degree of air- craft and, therefore, would not have been able to control his drop zone. This would eliminate theories involving a pickup by an accomplice.

Hijacker began immediately attempting to prepare for jump shortly after lift off at SaTac Airport. Because the money was not in a knapsack and ready for jumping and because of problems encountered in opening rear door, hi- jacker may have been delayed in making jump. It is possible that the hijacker wished to jump much nearer Seattle or Tacoma.

---

- 7 -

---

DB Cooper-32177

SE 164-81

---

Hijacker was probably not a sporting parachutist as he relied completely on airline personnel to furnish any type of parachute equipment available. As a result, he was furnished a chute that would open quickly with a good possibility of tearing, a high rate of descent and non- steerable. One chute he jumped with was a dummy chute and would not open. A parachutist with considerable exper- ience would have been more specific in the type chutes requested.

Above suggestions have been set forth in hopes that investigative efforts of this important major case might be implemented and case brought to an early logical conclusion.

---

- 8 -

DB Cooper-32178