Use of bone trabeculae to establish positive identification.
Radiographic examination of 42 adult distal left femora and 38 proximal left tibiae revealed that no two bones were identical in the pattern and appearance of the trabeculae. In each case, a minimum of four distinct osseous features was easily visible on radiograph. The results indicate that radiolucencies and radiodensities in the distal femur and proximal tibia are valid individualizing features for establishing a positive personal identification in human remains.
U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory, Hickam AFB, Hawaii 96853-5000, USA.
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Mann
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013977:Tibia / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging