Click the image above to watch Dave Oranchak analyze the claimed 340 solution by Robert Graysmith It is without doubt that Dave Oranchak of Zodiac Killer Ciphers could explain the cryptograms and codes of the Bay Area murderer far better than me, but I am sure he would agree that the Z13 and Z32 codes, without further input from the killer, are effectively unsolvable. One is simply too short, while the other has only three repeating characters in a 32 character code. On the left is a link to Dave Oranchak's latest Youtube video, examining the faulty techniques employed by Robert Graysmith in attempting to decode the infamous Zodiac Killer 340 cipher. Just to be clear, the following examinations of the April 20th 1970 and June 26th 1970 codes are not endorsed by Dave Oranchak.
Regarding the Z32, several options exist: [1] The Zodiac Killer supplied us with a key to the code [2] There was no key supplied because the characters were not chosen for purpose (in essence they are gibberish), [3] There is no relationship between ciphertext and plaintext whatsoever, but the code has meaning only in relation to its length (ie:32 characters), or [4] There is a limited relationship between ciphertext and plaintext, but not in its entirety. When we look at the remaining communications subsequent to the 32 character offering, it is difficult to see how these could provide any explanation with respect to the 29 unique characters contained within Zodiac's Button letter code.
In a previous article, we showed how the Zodiac Killer was able to provide the answer to the Z340, Z13 and Z32 in just three consecutive communications from July 26th 1970 to October 27th 1970, all in his own words. Those answers were essentially Paradice and Slaves, Fk, I'm crackproof and Radians and 5 inches along the radians (to be coupled with map supplying the value of 4).
A limited correlation was shown between ciphertext and plaintext in the Z13, in that the beginning of each word (component) appeared to have a relationship with each of the circled eights. The first 8 began the Fk element, the second 8 began the I'm element, and the third 8 began the crackproof element. Additonally, the letters K and M from the Fk, I'm crackproof phrase, correlated nicely with the existing K and M already in the Z13 code and completed the introduction of the April 20th 1970 letter to "This is the Zodiac speaking. By the way have you cracked the last cipher I sent you. My name is Fk, I'm crackproof" (nobody seriously believed he would give us his full name). Therefore, at least 5 ciphertext characters appeared to have some purpose in relation to 5 plaintext characters, much like the October 27th 1970 Halloween card showed a distinct correlation to the 340 cipher. I couldn't help thinking that the same relationship between ciphertext and plaintext may have existed in the Z32, in respect to the beginning of key words within Radians and 5 inches along the radians (highlighted in red).
Regarding the Z32, several options exist: [1] The Zodiac Killer supplied us with a key to the code [2] There was no key supplied because the characters were not chosen for purpose (in essence they are gibberish), [3] There is no relationship between ciphertext and plaintext whatsoever, but the code has meaning only in relation to its length (ie:32 characters), or [4] There is a limited relationship between ciphertext and plaintext, but not in its entirety. When we look at the remaining communications subsequent to the 32 character offering, it is difficult to see how these could provide any explanation with respect to the 29 unique characters contained within Zodiac's Button letter code.
In a previous article, we showed how the Zodiac Killer was able to provide the answer to the Z340, Z13 and Z32 in just three consecutive communications from July 26th 1970 to October 27th 1970, all in his own words. Those answers were essentially Paradice and Slaves, Fk, I'm crackproof and Radians and 5 inches along the radians (to be coupled with map supplying the value of 4).
A limited correlation was shown between ciphertext and plaintext in the Z13, in that the beginning of each word (component) appeared to have a relationship with each of the circled eights. The first 8 began the Fk element, the second 8 began the I'm element, and the third 8 began the crackproof element. Additonally, the letters K and M from the Fk, I'm crackproof phrase, correlated nicely with the existing K and M already in the Z13 code and completed the introduction of the April 20th 1970 letter to "This is the Zodiac speaking. By the way have you cracked the last cipher I sent you. My name is Fk, I'm crackproof" (nobody seriously believed he would give us his full name). Therefore, at least 5 ciphertext characters appeared to have some purpose in relation to 5 plaintext characters, much like the October 27th 1970 Halloween card showed a distinct correlation to the 340 cipher. I couldn't help thinking that the same relationship between ciphertext and plaintext may have existed in the Z32, in respect to the beginning of key words within Radians and 5 inches along the radians (highlighted in red).
The first thing to notice regarding these four key words, is that "radians" is represented by the letter "C" on both occasions. "Inches" and "along" are represented by a "black triangle" and the letter "X". Bearing in mind we are looking for an angle and distance subtended from Mount Diablo to discover where the "bomb is set", this is probably where we should be looking for our answer.
Take a look at a close-up of the Mount Diablo map provided by the Zodiac Killer (shown above). Two things jump out immediately - notably the "cross" or "X" symbol, in which the Zodiac Killer made a conscious decision to not draw over with his crosshairs. And secondly, the "red triangle" (in part) representing Mount Diablo State Park. I have also added an additional symbol in the top right corner, showing that a mountain is often represented by a triangle. In the Zodiac crosshairs from the July 26th 1970 Little List letter, the killer added a "circle" around the circumference, set at 246 degrees or 4 radians and magnetic north (part of the answer).
A line subtended from the mountain summit of Mount Diablo (triangle symbol) regarding radians and inches, radiating from the center of the crosshairs, cross or "X" symbol, through the circle on the circumference positioned at 4 radians and magnetic north - and then traveling 5 inches along this 4th radian - is the approximate position of where the bomb was to be set. You will notice the correlation between the blue highlighted words and their relationship in the Z32 code. The beginning of "radians" is twice represented by the letter "C", the beginning of "inches" represented by the "triangle" (and possibly crosshairs underneath) and the beginning of "along" represented by the letter "X" of Mount Diablo. We are traveling a set amount of inches from Mount Diablo (triangle), along a line subtended from Mount Diablo (X formation), through the circle of 4 radians.
Of course, it would be crazy to claim this was Zodiac's intention when designing the Z32 code, rather an initial and speculative look at the characters he used in relation to the plaintext solution of Radians and 5 inches along the radians, and much like the analysis of the Z13 code mailed on April 20th 1970. The Zodiac Killer had the option to design his latter two ciphers based on nothing more than their character total, but this isn't half as much fun as dropping in a few clues along the way.
THE CODES OF ZODIAC NEVER REQUIRED AN EXTERNAL SOLVE
Take a look at a close-up of the Mount Diablo map provided by the Zodiac Killer (shown above). Two things jump out immediately - notably the "cross" or "X" symbol, in which the Zodiac Killer made a conscious decision to not draw over with his crosshairs. And secondly, the "red triangle" (in part) representing Mount Diablo State Park. I have also added an additional symbol in the top right corner, showing that a mountain is often represented by a triangle. In the Zodiac crosshairs from the July 26th 1970 Little List letter, the killer added a "circle" around the circumference, set at 246 degrees or 4 radians and magnetic north (part of the answer).
A line subtended from the mountain summit of Mount Diablo (triangle symbol) regarding radians and inches, radiating from the center of the crosshairs, cross or "X" symbol, through the circle on the circumference positioned at 4 radians and magnetic north - and then traveling 5 inches along this 4th radian - is the approximate position of where the bomb was to be set. You will notice the correlation between the blue highlighted words and their relationship in the Z32 code. The beginning of "radians" is twice represented by the letter "C", the beginning of "inches" represented by the "triangle" (and possibly crosshairs underneath) and the beginning of "along" represented by the letter "X" of Mount Diablo. We are traveling a set amount of inches from Mount Diablo (triangle), along a line subtended from Mount Diablo (X formation), through the circle of 4 radians.
Of course, it would be crazy to claim this was Zodiac's intention when designing the Z32 code, rather an initial and speculative look at the characters he used in relation to the plaintext solution of Radians and 5 inches along the radians, and much like the analysis of the Z13 code mailed on April 20th 1970. The Zodiac Killer had the option to design his latter two ciphers based on nothing more than their character total, but this isn't half as much fun as dropping in a few clues along the way.
THE CODES OF ZODIAC NEVER REQUIRED AN EXTERNAL SOLVE
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