To SAC Seattle reporting results of NORJAK file review of 5/22-26/72 with recommendations

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

SAs [REDACTED]

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-32392

---

b6 b7C

SE 164-81

---

It is recommended that the Lab be requested to examine this tie, particularly, the dust particles lodged 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 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 implimented 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 adamant in her insistence that the artist's conception was not a very good likeness of the hijacker.

---

- 2 - DB Cooper-32393

SE 164-81

It is suggested that [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 artists interview, at which time the following questions should be asked:

- 5 -

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 ght 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-32397