The use of thoracolumbar and hip joint dysmorphism in identification

A case of roentgenographic identification of a deceased person is presented. Comparison of antemortem and postmortem radiographs of the vertebral column and hip joint, for the purpose of identification, was based on the deceased medical history, and the fact the deceased was endentulous, and fingerprint comparison was not feasible. Evaluation of anatomical variants, due to the effects of degenerative disease, provided positive identification in a visually unidentifiable deceased person.