Forensic anthropologists and taphonomists are often tasked with interpreting the sequence of events from death through decomposition to skeletonisation. Discovery of burnt bone often evokes questions as to the condition of the body prior to the burn event. The purpose of this study was to evaluate features of thermal damage on bones in relationship to the condition of the bone (dry/wet) and progression of decomposition. Twenty-five pigs in various stages of decomposition (fresh, early, advanced, early & late skeletonisation) were exposed to fire for 30 minutes. The skeletal elements were scored and features included: colour change (unaltered, charred, calcined), brown and heat borders, heat lines, delineation, greasy bone, joint shielding, predictable and minimal cracking, delamination and heatinduced fractures. Colour changes were scored according to a ranked percentage scale (0 – 3) and the remaining traits as absent or present (0/1). Cohen’s Kappa statistics evaluated intraand interobserver error. Density plots and frequency distributions were constructed and multiple regression (categorical variables) and transition analysis were employed. The majority (8) of the 13 traits displayed potential to predict decomposition stage from burned remains. An increase in calcined and charred bone occurred synchronously with an advancement in decomposition. The organic composition of bone and presence of flesh affect the characteristics features of burned bone. Greasy bone occurred most often in the early/fresh stages (fleshed bone). Heat borders, heat lines, delineation, joint shielding, predictable and minimal cracking were associated with wet tissue/bone; whereas brown burn/borders, delamination and other heat-induced fractures were associated with early and late skeletonisation. No statistically significant differences were noted among observers for the majority of the traits except for predictable and minimal cracking and heat-induced fractures in the cranium. Heat-induced changes may assist in estimating decomposition stage from unknown, burnt remains and thereby aid in a providing an indication as to the condition of the bone prior to the burn event. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Anatomy / unrestricted