NCJ Number
227698
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 54 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2009 Pages: 779-785
Date Published
July 2009
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Using a sample of 36 adult pig hind limbs that were dismembered fleshed, this study assessed the degree of modification to the saw-mark characteristics of the dismembered skeletal remains when exposed to a controlled outdoor fire of limited duration.
Abstract
The findings indicate the cremated bones exhibited a degree of preservation of saw-mark characteristics, depending on the saw used to dismember the remains and the variables of the fire, such as the position of the bone in the fire, the atmospheric conditions, and the fluctuating temperatures. Further study should illustrate the reproducibility and success rates for identifying saw marks on burned bone, enabling the use of such evidence in courtroom testimony by an expert witness. Future research should involve burning dismembered limbs in a "blind" manner (the researcher is not familiar with the saw types and entire sample of limbs), incorporating accelerants, and burning with intervention (i.e., agitation). From the sample of 36 hind limbs, 3 were used for each saw type identified in the study. The types of saws used were broadly categorized as handsaws, which consisted of the crosscut universal saw, crosscut aggressive saw, manual miter saw, bow saw, hacksaw, and keyhole saw. Power saws used consisted of the table saw, miter saw, circular saw, jigsaw, reciprocating saw, and chainsaw. A microscopic examination of the saw marks on the limbs was conducted with a Digital Blue QX5 Smithsonian Computer Microscope, which enhanced the morphological features of the marks. 4 tables, 3 figures, and 22 references