Wilderness of Errors

What happens when popular JFK assassination theories collide with forensic science?
In this episode of Wilderness of Errors, Robert and Janet join forensic firearms expert Chris Bartocci to examine the physical evidence of President Kennedy’s assassination. From the "magic bullet" and the Zapruder film to the ballistics in Officer J.D. Tippit's murder, Bartocci explains how experts evaluate trajectories, wound patterns, and cartridge cases.
We explore the misidentified Mauser rifle, the scientific basis of the single-bullet theory, and why original investigative mistakes don't automatically prove a conspiracy. Beyond ballistics, they tackle a deeper question: How do we distinguish informed skepticism from the outright rejection of expertise? 

In this episode of Wilderness of Errors, we sit down with Professor Nic Green—a Marine veteran, firearms instructor, and English literature professor—to critically evaluate the historical narratives surrounding the JFK assassination. Moving past dogma, we dissect both the physical anomalies in Dealey Plaza and the broader geopolitical landscape of 1963.
From analyzing the mechanics of the alleged murder weapon to exploring the secret backchannel correspondence between JFK and Nikita Khrushchev, this conversation weighs the explanatory virtues of the lone-gunman and conspiracy models without descending into religious zealotry.
In this episode, we discuss:
The Marksmanship Myth: Why the argument that Oswald was a "bad shot" fails to hold up to Marine Corps standards, and why bullet drop at 88 yards is a negligible factor.
The Carcano's Fatal Flaw: The real mechanical issue with the rifle—scope concentricity—and why a poorly drilled mount makes for a much stronger argument than shooter error.
Tactical Reality in Dealey Plaza: The psychology of the first shot, firing from concealment, and the dynamic challenges of tracking a moving target.
The Peace Pivot: An analysis of the secret Kennedy-Khrushchev letters, Kennedy's restraint during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and his ultimate conflict with elements of the military-intelligence establishment.
CIA Obstruction: The implications of the George Joannides personnel file and what it means for the House Select Committee on Assassinations.
Schrödinger’s History: The problem with the US government maintaining two conflicting official conclusions about the assassination, and what real progress in the case would look like today.