Editing CIA A Study Of Assassination (1953) (section)

====Accidents. ====

For secret assassination, either simple or chase, the contrived accident is the 
most effective technique. When successfully executed, it causes little 
excitement and is only casually investigated. 

The most efficient accident, in simple assassination, is a fall of 75 feet or 
more onto a hard surface. Elevator shafts, stair wells, unscreened windows 
and bridges will serve. Bridge falls into water are not reliable. In simple cases 
a private meeting with the subject may be arranged at a properly-cased 
location. The act may be executed by sudden, vigorous [excised] of the 
ankles, tipping the subject over the edge. If the assassin immediately sets up 
an outcry, playing the "horrified witness", no alibi or surreptitious withdrawal is 
necessary. In chase cases it will usually be necessary to stun or drug the 
subject before dropping him. Care is required to ensure that no wound or 
condition not attributable to the fall is discernible after death. 

Falls into the sea or swiftly flowing rivers may suffice if the subject cannot 
swim. It will be more reliable if the assassin can arrange to attempt rescue, as 
he can thus be sure of the subject's death and at the same time establish a 
workable alibi. 

If the subject's personal habits make it feasible, alcohol may be used [2 words 
excised] to prepare him for a contrived accident of any kind. 

Falls before trains or subway cars are usually effective, but require exact 
timing and can seldom be free from unexpected observation. 

Automobile accidents are a less satisfactory means of assassination. If the 
subject is deliberately run down, very exact timing is necessary and 
investigation is likely to be thorough. If the subject's car is tampered with, 
reliability is very low. The subject may be stunned or drugged and then placed 
in the car, but this is only reliable when the car can be run off a high cliff or 
into deep water without observation. 

Arson can cause accidental death if the subject is drugged and left in a 
burning building. Reliability is not satisfactory unless the building is isolated 
and highly combustible.