JFK Assassination Records Review Board Final Report
JFK Assassination Records Review Board Final Report
The final report of the Assassination Records Review Board (ARRB), an independent federal agency created by the JFK Records Act of 1992. The Board was tasked with locating, reviewing, and declassifying millions of pages of government records related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The report details the Board's methodology, the files released by the CIA, FBI, and military, and the challenges faced in obtaining compliance from reluctant intelligence agencies.
Key Findings & Bulletins
- Massive Declassification: The ARRB facilitated the public release of over 5 million pages of records, which were previously classified or heavily redacted.
- Medical & Ballistics Files: The report details the recovery and public disclosure of autopsy photos, medical testimonies, and ballistics reports to resolve inconsistencies.
- Agency Resistance: Documents outline the board's persistent negotiations with the CIA and FBI to release records regarding surveillance in Mexico City and informant networks.
Editorial Context & Technical Analysis
The ARRB Final Report is a landmark document in the history of government transparency. While the Board was not tasked with reinvestigating the assassination or drawing conclusions about conspiracies, its work established a powerful precedent for legislative declassification mandates. The compiled files provide historians with a rich, unredacted view of mid-century intelligence operations, law enforcement methods, and government record-keeping practices.