Assessment of Wear-Related Features of the Kerf Wall from Saw Marks in Bone

• NCJ Number: 232892
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 55 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2010 Pages: 1561-1569
• Author(s): Laurel E. Freas, M.A.
• Date Published: November 2010
• Length: 9 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation; Forensic Sciences Foundation
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Presented in part at the 56th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 20, 2004, in Dallas, TX, and in part at the 58th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 23, 2006, in Seattle, WA.

Annotation

This study examined existing saw mark analysis.

Abstract

Analyses of saw marks in bone may yield important information about the class characteristics of saws used in postmortem dismemberments, yet little research has been directed at identifying saws' individualizing characteristics. This study adds to existing saw mark analysis methodologies by examining wear-related features of kerf walls using light- and environmental scanning electron microscopy. A crosscut saw and hacksaw were used to create sequences of 30 cuts in bone; these sequences reveal patterns of progressive loss of fine details of kerf wall morphology with increasing saw blade wear, because of the rounding of sharp points and edges. Nevertheless, diagnostic kerf wall features used to establish class characteristics persist despite these wear-related changes. Unsuccessful attempts at statistical analysis of wear-related changes, based on striae width and density, suggest these patterns are not readily quantifiable. Additionally, despite the scanning electron microscope's superior imaging capabilities, it provided few practical, methodological gains over traditional light microscopy. (Published Abstact)