A multivariate method for classifying third to seventh cervical newborn vertebrae using bone measurements.

This research provides a method to classify human newborn (9 to 10 lm) third to seventh cervical ossification centers. Nine linear measurements on the cervical neural arch were defined from 35 human neonates. Four discriminant functions were performed using the stepwise method. The model classifies 82.8% of grouped cases and 77.9% of cross-validated cases correctly. The model is useful in cases with isolated or commingled remains during anthropological or forensic investigations.