Body Height Estimation Based on Dimensions of Sacral and Coccygeal Vertebrae

• NCJ Number: 209090
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 50 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2005 Pages: 294-297
• Author(s): Can Pelin M.D.; Izzet Duyar Ph.D.; Esra M. Kayahan M.D.; Ragtba Zagyapan Ph.D.; A. Muhtesem Agildere M.D.; Aydin Erar Ph.D.
• Date Published: March 2005
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: An earlier version of this study was presented at the third European Academy of Forensic Science Meeting, September 22-27, 2003, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Annotation

This research established new regression equations for stature prediction in forensic cases based on the dimensions of sacral and coccygeal vertebrae.

Abstract

For cases in which it is impossible to obtain intact long bones, such as in mass disasters, incomplete bones or bones other than long bones must be used to estimate the stature of deceased persons for the purposes of identification. No study to date has determined whether measurements of the sacral and coccygeal vertebrae can be used to estimate height. In the current research all measurements were recorded from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 42 males who underwent endoluminal coil MRI for local staging of tumors after diagnosis with prostate or rectal carcinoma. The patients ranged in age from 45 to 81 years. On the images, the length of each vertebral body was measured on the anterior side of the bone. Sacral height and sacrococcygeal height were also recorded for each individual. Linear regression equations for stature estimation were obtained using the sacral height and sacrococcygeal height. Other formula were also derived by using the sum of the heights of five sacral vertebrae, the first four coccygeal vertebrae, and the total height of the sacral and the first four coccygeal vertebrae together. Later multiple regression equations were also constructed by using stepwise regression procedure. The most reliable estimations of stature were through multiple regression equations that consisted of four variables. The best two equations are presented in this paper. Since this study was conducted on living persons, the equations presented are useful for mutilated, but not decayed bodies; these equations are not reliable for fully skeletalized remains. This requires new regression equations. The authors advise that stature estimates based on sacrococcygeal dimensions are better predictors of stature than skull or foot dimensions. 4 tables and 27 references