ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 4

Stature Estimation from Radiographically Determined Long Bone Length in a Spanish Population Sample
Muñoz, JI
Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela,

Suárez-Peñaranda, JM

Concheiro, L
Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela,

Rodríguez-Calvo, MS
Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela,

Liñares-Iglesias, M
University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela,

Mayo, M
Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela,

Miguéns, X
Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela,

(Received 28 December 1999; accepted 5 May 2000)

Abstract

The estimation of stature from of a variety of bones is an important aspect of forensic work. In order to obtain reliable results, it is important to have comparative data obtained from the same population group as the skeletal remains. However, lack of up to date information on the population groups of Southern Europe makes the estimation of stature from bones in this area subject to possible error. In this study, the stature of 104 healthy adults from Spain was measured, and an anteroposterior teleradiograph of the right lower and the right upper limb of every subject in the study was made in order to measure the lengths of the femur, tibia, fibula, humerus, cubitus and ulna.

Pearson's regression formulae were obtained for both limbs. In males, we found the femur to be the most accurate predictor of stature (R = 0.851), whereas in females best results were obtained with the tibia (R = 0.876).

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic anthropology, stature estimation, bone radiograph, skeletal remains, Spanish population

Paper ID: JFS14973J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14973J
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