Saw dust obtained from the cutting of EET A79001, a meteorite with a presumed Martian origin, has been analyzed for its carbon content and stable isotopic composition in order to assess the sample's potential value for studies aimed at elucidating Martian surface processes. These fines, which are available in plentiful supply, are a useful source of material and are important since they are a representative whole-rock sample of this complex meteorite. In addition, the fines give an indication of contamination sources which may affect not only the collected sawings but also the sawn surface of the meteorite. A number of contaminants were identified in the fines (e.g. organic materials, Teflon, diamond, and carbon associated with metal). It is considered that the levels of carbon contamination measured represent a worst possible case and hence provide a valuable reference with which to compare other analyses of this sample, or indeed, other Martian meteorites. Evidence was found for an indigenous carbonate component similar to that observed previously in other fractions of the meteorite. However, based on the results presented herein it is not possible to assert that isotopically distinct carbonate minerals of different origins are present in the meteorite. The levels of trapped Martian atmospheric CO2 calculated for the fines are unexpectedly high (~1 ppm carbon), but this could be influenced by the presence of other, as yet unknown, carbonaceous materials.