Cut or burnt? – Categorizing morphological characteristics of heat-induced fractures and sharp force trauma

Distinguishing trauma from heat-induced fractures is a challenge faced by forensic anthropologists and pathologists during medicolegal investigations in which fire has been used the perpetrators to destroy evidence. This paper aims validate provided identification features distinguish between induced alterations sharp force trauma. A total of 80 cremated adult individuals were this paper: 3 recently deceased embalmed cadavers Cementerio Sur de Madrid for experiment 55 pre-burning injuries inflicted using machete serrated knife different anatomical regions. And 77 Forensic Anthropology Odontology Laboratory osteological collection. Five long bones collection selected, 10 cuts manually analyse post-burning Heat-induced changes morphologic characteristics thus documented analysed. The examination documentation morphological traits enabled production visual guide flow-chart. Two intraclass correlation tests performed capacity observer related toolmarks. results obtained statistical analysis indicate that, even if toolmarks are visible recognizable upon macroscopic observation observers, some features, such as step transverse can be mistaken with use proposed coupled careful anthropological recommended found functional participants no prior knowledge remains.