title: On the relationship between stature and anthropometric measurements of lumbar vertebrae.
abstract: Stature estimation is important for identifying human remains. Analysis of body parts has become an important forensic tool during global operations in the context of cases in which human remains have been dismembered, mutilated or decomposed. However, unless almost the full skeleton or at least a long bone of the lower limb is available, accuracy is still limited to approximate body height. Especially with respect to single vertebral measurements, only a rough prediction is possible. Due to their complex geometry, vertebral measurements are possible at various locations. Nine locations have been considered in this study. Regression equations for stature estimation using lumbar vertebral geometry from computed tomography scans have been evaluated to identify the measurement which gives the most reliable body height estimation. The study group comprised a representative sample of a German metropolitan male population (42 autopsied individuals). Comparing the influence of various vertebral geometry measurements with body height resulted in a coefficient of correlation (R) of 0.19-0.53 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of ± 11.6 up to ± 13.1cm. The largest correlation with a single vertebral measurement was achieved with the central height of the vertebral body of L2 as predictor; the standard error (SE) of the estimate was 5.9 cm. Using models from CT scans appeared superior to current invasive procedures that use direct measurements of the vertebral body, in terms of reproducibility and time efficiency. For fragmented non-skeletonized human bodies, height prediction based on an all-virtual model of the vertebrae is possible. However, the regression coefficient may be similar to classic caliper measurements that prove easier if skeletonized bones are available.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Butenfeld 34, 22529 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomechanics, TUHH - Hamburg University of Technology, Denickestr. 15, 21073 Hamburg, Germany. Electronic address: katrin.nagel@tuhh.de.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nagel
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomechanics, TUHH - Hamburg University of Technology, Denickestr. 15, 21073 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gührs
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Butenfeld 34, 22529 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Chanasorn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Poodendaen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Butenfeld 34, 22529 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Püschel
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomechanics, TUHH - Hamburg University of Technology, Denickestr. 15, 21073 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Morlock
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomechanics, TUHH - Hamburg University of Technology, Denickestr. 15, 21073 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Huber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001827:Body Height; D018732:Forensic Anthropology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Body height; Digital osteology; Forensic anthropology; Lumbar spine; Stature estimation