Hiding the evidence: Preliminary investigation of heat-induced alterations to pre-existing saw mark trauma.

Dismemberment and subsequent burning are common methods employed in an attempt to conceal or destroy evidence. While kerf characteristics can be utilised to identify tool(s) used for dismemberment, further research is necessary to assess the effect of burning on these characteristics. In this study, a back (tenon) saw (13 teeth per inch) was used to manually inflict trauma on Ovis aries de-fleshed femur bones (n = 18).