Page 21 of Long Pig
The stature of the individual has been estimated using the maximum length of the left femur. The measurement yields an estimated living height of 5'9" to 5'11".
Ancestry
Analysis of cranial and dental morphology, including the presence of a narrow nasal aperture, a small mastoid process, and a slight prognathism, indicates a likely European ancestry. Further analysis will be conducted to refine this assessment.
Kerf Morphology: There is a notable absence of "false starts" or wavering lines, which would be indicative of a manual, hand-held saw. This further supports the use of a static, precision tool.
Knife and Cleaver Marks: Knife and cleaver marks are present at several anatomical locations, consistent with the disarticulation of the body and the stripping of soft tissue.
Disarticulation Marks: Shallow, V-shaped slice marks are present on the surfaces of the bones at major joints, including the head of the humerus, the glenoid cavityof the scapula, and the iliac crest of the pelvis. These marks indicate that a sharp-bladed instrument was used to sever ligaments and tendons.
Scrape Marks: Multiple, shallow scrape marks run parallel to the length of the long bones, particularly the femurs and humerus. These marks are consistent with the repeated scraping of a blade to remove muscle and other soft tissues.
Chop Marks: The clavicles and multiple ribs display wide, V-shaped chop marks with associated bone splintering and fracture lines. The clean nature of these cuts and the radiating fractures around the impact point are consistent with the use of a heavy, sharp cleaver or axe.
III. LACK OF EVIDENCE FOR OTHER TRAUMA:
No evidence of natural taphonomic activity, such as animal gnawing, tooth pits, or scoring, was observed on the skeletal remains.
IV. CONCLUSION:
The observed skeletal trauma is entirely consistent with a well-executed postmortem dismemberment. The consistent and precise nature of the saw cuts, coupled with the focused knife and cleaver marks, strongly suggests a perpetrator with a high degree of knowledge and skill in a field such as professional butchery. The lack of scavenging marks suggests the remains were protected from natural elements after the processing.
“Oh my God,” Willow said and looked up. “I didn’t understand it all, but I understood enough. The body was butchered?” She shook her head.
“That’s about it,” Dale said. “A fifteen- to twenty-year-old murder out here is next to impossible to solve. People have been transient in this area for too long.”
Willow’s entire body felt cold. “Why don’t they go door-to-door and question people on the ranch? Someone might know something.” She sounded desperate, even to her own ears.
“That’s a good way to get shot,” Dale said. “Deputy Wallard said they would place a notice in the newspaper and ask anyone with information to come forward anonymously. I doubt anyone would, even if they know who did it.”
“This is insane. Sick. Is there more?” she asked.
“Yes, but it’s mostly medical mumbo jumbo.”
“Good. I don’t need to see it. Do you think old man Hogg could have killed that man?”
“They didn’t live here during the right time period. I think those bones were buried, and water ran down the ravine until the bones were unearthed.”
Willow had forgotten the Hoggs moved in after her grandmother. “When you were a deputy, would you have let this go?”
He looked directly into her eyes. “Not for one minute. Even if I had to work the case off-duty, I would be talking to people, finding out who lived here back then, and cataloging everything anyone said. I might not have solved it, but I damn sure would have investigated it. Whoever did this is a very nasty individual. You don’t simply learn how to do what was done to that body. It takes skill. Hell, it’s most likely not the only person he’s killed.”
“You think a man did this?”
“Law of averages says it’s a man. My gut says it’s a man. I’ll say it’s a man until we find out differently.”
Willow had been in prison with women who killed in horrible ways, just like she had. Most had good reasons for the murders they committed, though sometimes, they were simply evil. Prison taught her a lot about evil.
“You’re going to try and find who did it?” she asked.
“You bet your Sunday jeans I will. It’s likely someone who was passing through. There’s a lot of open land up here, and if you hadn’t been searching for that marker, the body could have stayed hidden forever. I might not find out much, but I’ll try.”
Dale meant every word.
Chapter Twelve
Sins of the Flesh