Incomplete cut marks produced during dismemberment are often interpreted as indicative of saw class characteristics. However, empirical validation of these associations remains limited, with prior studies examining six or fewer saws. Considering the wide variety of saws available, it is critical to assess the reliability of reported relationships between kerf features and saw classification using a larger sample, particularly in light of the serious legal consequences of erroneous conclusions. This study examines the statistical relationships between five incomplete cut traits—kerf profile shape (KPS), kerf length shape (KLS), floor dip (FD), kerf flare (KF), and floor striae (FS)—and saw class characteristics, including tooth set, tooth shape, teeth-per-inch, power, handle orientation, and cut direction. Methods: Kerf features were scored on a sample of 472 incomplete cuts made with 34 power and hand saws. Results: In reciprocating saws, W-shaped KPS was exclusively associated with crosscut, alternating saws (100%; p < 0.001), with hourglass-shaped KLS also primarily made by alternating sets (95.6%). Necked KLS was linked to wavy sets (76.8%; p < 0.001). FD, though rare, could be correctly assigned to teeth-per-inch groups (86.4%), and was also predominantly associated with alternating saws (90.9%; p < 0.001). Undulating FS were indicative of alternating saws with less than 20 teeth-per-inch (100%, p < 0.001). In contrast, KF showed no strong relationship with saw class characteristics, including handle side. Conclusions: The results of this large-scale analysis support most reported relationships in the saw mark literature but challenge assumptions that KF reliably indicates handle orientation or cut direction, suggesting instead that its location may reflect sawyer technique.
(Publisher abstract provided.)
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