Corrections for age in estimating older adults' stature from long bones

Stature estimates based on long bone measurements require a correction factor to compensate for stature decrease in older people. Such a correction should exclude the effect of any secular trend in stature and reflect the age at which stature begins to decrease, sex differences, and the increasing rate of change with age. Stature correction which meet these requirements for ages 46 through 85, based upon two recent large-scale longitudinal anthropometric studies, are provided in tabular form.     

Sex determination and estimation of stature from the long bones of the arm

The determination of sex and the estimation of stature from bones play an important role in identifying unknown bodies, parts of bodies or skeletal remains. In medico-legal practice statements on the probable sex of a decomposed body or part of a body are often expected even during autopsy. The present study was, therefore, restricted to few easily accessible dimensions from bones which were prepared only by mechanically removing soft tissues, tendons and ligaments. The specimens came from the Anatomical Institutes in Munich and Cologne from the years 1994-1998 including a total of 143 individuals (64 males and 79 females). The mean age was 79 years (46-108), the mean body height 161cm (134-189). The following measurements were taken: maximum humeral length (mean: 33.4cm in males; 30.7cm in females), vertical humeral head diameter (mean: 5.0cm in males, 4.4cm in females), humeral epicondylar width (mean: 6.6cm in males; 5.8cm in females), maximum ulnar length (mean: 26.5cm in males, 23.8cm in females), proximal ulnar width (mean: 3.4cm in males, 2.9cm in females), distal ulnar width (mean: 2.2cm in males; 1.8cm in females), maximum radial length (mean: 24.6cm in males; 22.0cm in females), radial head diameter (mean: 2.6cm in males, 2.2cm in females) and distal radial width (mean: 3.6cm in males; 3.2cm in females). The differences between the means in males and females were significant (P<0.0005). A discriminant analysis was carried out with good results. A percentage of 94.93% of cases were correctly classified when all measures of the radius were applied jointly, followed by humerus (93.15%) and ulna (90.58%). Applied singly, the humeral head diameter allowed the best distinction (90.41% correctly grouped cases), followed by the radial length (89.13%), the radial head diameter (88.57%) and the humeral epicondylar width (88.49%). The linear regression analysis for quantifying the correlation between the bone lengths and the stature led to unsatifactory results with large 95%-confidence intervals for the coefficients and high standard errors of estimate.     

A report on the use of Fully's anatomical method to estimate stature in military skeletal remains

The present study applies two methods of estimating living stature from long limb bones to a sample of military remains. Preliminary results comparing the the relative accuracy of the two methods are presented.     

儿童骨骼特征的组织学研究

目的研究儿童骨骼的组织学特征,为儿童骨骼残片的法医学鉴定提供科学依据。方法提取儿童四肢长骨骨片,制作骨骼的组织切片,在显微镜下观察内、外环骨板,骨单位,骨细胞的组织学结构,比较儿童骨骼与动物及成人骨骼的组织学区别。结果儿童骨骼的骨单位形态与成人相似,骨单位间存在大量的内层骨板,与动物的骨组织特征相似。结论根据骨组织学特征,可以确定儿童的骨骼残片。     

Prediction of stature based on radiographic measurements of cadaver long bones: a study of the Croatian population

We tested a new approach to the stature prediction that could be used in the identification process of human skeletal remains of unknown identity. The stature of 19 female and 21 male adult cadavers was measured within 24 h after death and considered to be equal to the living stature. The antero-posterior radiographs of all limbs were taken, and the maximum length of the six long bones was measured from radiographs. There was a significant difference in the stature and maximum length of long bones between female and male cadavers (p<0.001 for all). The correlation between the stature and long bone length was the best for the humerus in females (r=0.792) and the tibia in males (r=0.891). Regression equations specific to the Croatian population were computed separately for each long bone in males and females and proven to be reliable in predicting the living stature of the individual.     

Estimating stature from tibia length: a comparison of methods

Most forensic and biological anthropological studies use the stature-estimation formulae developed by Trotter and Gleser. In recent decades, studies of morphological differences between populations have indicated that population-specific formulae are necessary to obtain accurate estimates. A number of equations have been devised for the Turkish population. Previously, we introduced a "general formula" and three "stature-group-specific formulae" based on tibial length. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether formulae in the literature are suitable for estimating height in the Turkish population. To make this assessment, we compared the accuracy of formulae designed for Turkish people to the accuracy of formulae devised for other populations. We also evaluated the accuracy in short, medium, and tall height groupings. The formulae were tested on 110 healthy Turkish male adults, with estimated height compared to true height in each case. Analysis showed that the Trotter-Gleser formula for Mongoloids was most accurate for estimating stature in the study group as a whole. The formulae of Sa?ir for the Turkish population and our previously published "general formula" were the next most accurate methods, respectively. When the 110 subjects were categorized as short (1652 mm and below), medium (1653 to 1840 mm), and tall (1841 and above), the stature-group-specific formulae calculated in the present study were more accurate than all other equations for subjects at the height extremes. The results of this study indicate that stature-group-specific formulae are more reliable for forensic cases.     

数字X线测量上肢长骨推算身高

目的应用数字X线测量上肢长骨,建立适合当代中国四川汉族人群长骨推算身高的回归方程。方法按纳入标准对365例四川汉族正常人进行身高测量及上肢的数字X线检查,测量上肢各长骨不同标志点之间的长度,用SPSS统计软件对各测量值与身高进行相关回归分析,并对回归方程进行回代检验。结果共建立27个一元回归方程以及3个多元回归方程,各方程都具有统计学意义。上肢长骨中,尺骨相关性大于桡骨,男性相关性大于女性,多元回归方程的准确性高于一元回归方程。结论放射学方法测量长骨推算身高是一项简单、实用的方法,更适合上肢尸块的个人识别,值得进一步研究。     

Determination of length of human long bones of hands from their fragments

In cases of fragment/broken long bones, it becomes difficult to measure the length of bones for the purpose of calculation of total height (stature) of the individual with the help of magnification factors. An attempt has been made to devise a method of calculating the bones length from fragments on three long bones of the upper extremity.     

Determination of length of human upper limb long bones from their fragments

It is impossible to measure directly the length of fragmentary or broken long bones. It is in order to calculate the height (stature) of the individual, using magnification factors. An attempt has been made to devise a method of calculating the length from such fragments for the three long bones of the upper limb.     

应用磁珠法提取陈旧骨骼DNA

目的探讨采用磁珠法提取陈旧骨骼DNA的可行性。方法取经土埋或室外暴露下存放1~5年不等的10根长骨,经水洗、刮净,钻取骨密质骨粉3g,应用EQ1000磁珠试剂盒提取DNA,经复合扩增,ABI 3130XL基因分析仪电泳分离,进行STR分型检测。结果 10根长骨均获得完整的STR分型,电泳图谱基线干净,除个别大片段基因座外,等位基因荧光信号分布均衡性较好。结论采用磁珠法提取陈旧骨骼的DNA,能满足分型要求,可在实际检案中选用。     

Using tibia fragments from South Africans of European descent to estimate maximum tibia length and stature

Intact long limb bones have been used in the derivation of regression equations for stature assessment in different population groups. Since intact long bones are not always present for analyses in forensic cases, it has become necessary to derive regression equations for the estimation of stature from the fragments of these bones which are obtained in forensic and archaeological cases. Regression equations have been derived for stature estimation from fragments of the tibia. Since these equations are population specific, it was the aim of this study to derive similar equations for estimation of stature and maximum tibia length from measurements of different fragments of tibia of South Africans of European descent. Analyses were based on a sample of 50 male and 50 female complete skeletons of adult South Africans of European descent. Total skeletal height for the individual skeletons was measured using the Fully's (anatomical) method. Six variables were measured on the tibia which included the medial tibial condyle lengths and breadths, lateral tibial condyle lengths and breadths, proximal breadth and distal breadth. Univariate and multivariate regression equations were formulated for estimation of total skeletal height (and subsequent estimation of living stature) and maximum tibial length from measurements of the tibia. The standard errors of estimate for the equations were higher than those obtained for intact long bones which when present in forensic cases should be used for stature estimation. In the absence of intact long bones, the equations derived from the present study can provide a reliable estimate of skeletal height and living stature.     

Estimation of stature from body parts

Anthropometric technique commonly used by anthropologists and adopted by medical scientists has been employed to estimate body size for over a hundred years. With the increasing frequency of mass disasters, the identification of an isolated lower extremity and the stature of the person it belonged to has created problems for the investigation of the identity of some of the victims. In spite of a need for such a study, there is a lack of systematic studies to identify fragmented and dismembered human remains. The purpose of the paper is to analyze anthropometric relationships between dimensions of the lower extremity and body height. Analysis is based on a sample of middle class male (N=203) and female (N=108) adult Turks residing in Istanbul. The participants are mostly students and staff members of a medical school, and military personnel. Measurements taken are stature, trochanteric height, thigh length, lower leg length, leg length, and foot height, breadth, and length. Of the five variables entered into the regression analysis, all but foot breadth participate in the analysis with leg length as the first and followed by thigh and foot lengths, and finally foot height in males (R(2)). There were also individually calculated formulae for some of these measurements which provided smaller R(2)-values. Student's t-test to assess if there was any intraobserver error in measurements take by individual anthropometrist did not show such any statistically significant difference. In conclusion, the study suggested that estimation of a living height can be made possible using various dimensions of the lower extremity. One must consider differences between populations in order to apply functions as such to others.     

计算机X线成像测量青少年四肢长骨推算身高

目的 应用计算机X线成像(computed radiographv,CR)测量活体上肢骨及胫腓骨正位片上相关指标,建立适合当代中国四川地区汉族14～18岁人群运用上肢骨及胫腓骨推算身高的数学模型.方法 对194例14～18岁四川汉族健康青少年进行左侧肢体上肢骨及胫腓骨正位摄片,测量特定标志点间距离,同时准确测量其身高....     

Prediction of stature from hand measurements

A sample of 166 normal adult males and females was taken from different colleges of Assiut representing those living in upper Egypt. Each subject has been studied for measurements of stature (S), hand length (HL) and hand breadth (HB). The data were statistically analysed in order to assess the relationship between stature and hand measurements. The correlation matrix of the study indicates close similarity of the relationship between stature and hand measurements in both sexes and in both sides. A generalized multiple regression equation has been designed to estimate stature from values of hand length and hand breadth regardless of sex or side in the form: S = 34.5 + 5.77 HL + 2.7 HB +/- 5.1. This equation may be helpful to obtain approximate stature when there is difficulty in obtaining a direct measurement or where there is a chance print of a criminal or an amputated hand or arm.     

2种陈旧骨骼、牙齿DNA纯化方法的比较

目的比较有机法+QIAquick纯化法和DNA IQ磁珠法对陈旧骨骼和牙齿DNA的纯化效果。方法选择10份陈旧骨骼和12份牙齿样本,进行消化后分别采用有机法+QIAquick纯化法和DNA IQ磁珠法进行提取纯化,进行DNA定量后用SinofilerTM试剂盒进行检测。结果 2种方法纯化的骨骼、牙齿DNA的IPC CT值无显著差异。有机法+QIAquick纯化法纯化的骨骼、牙齿DNA平均浓度分别为0.180ng/μL±0.068ng/μL和0.132ng/μL±0.027ng/μL,所有样品均获得全部基因分型。DNA IQ磁珠法纯化的DNA平均浓度分别为0.038ng/μL±0.028ng/μL和0.036ng/μL±0.007ng/μL,有5份骨骼和6份牙齿样本仅获得部分基因分型或未能分型。结论有机法+QIAquick纯化法对陈旧骨骼、牙齿DNA的纯化效果优于DNA IQ磁珠法。     

Estimation of stature from metacarpal lengths.

Formulae for the estimation of stature from metacarpal lengths are presented. Two samples of metacarpal specimens were employed in the analysis: one of 212 individuals from the Terry Collection, and one of 55 modern males, all of whom had measured statures. One measurement, the midline length, was taken on each metacarpal. Stature was regressed on the basis of the metacarpal length to derive equations for the Terry Collection individuals. Comparisons between the Terry Collection males and the modern sample showed the latter to have longer metacarpals and greater statures. The Terry equations were tested using the modern male sample. In spite of the differences noted, the Terry equations perform acceptably on modern individuals. The performance was slightly better for whites than for blacks. Since the female equations were not tested, they should be employed with greater caution.