Estimation of length of femur from its distal segment

Abstract

Introduction: The stature of an individual, one of the key elements of identification, can be calculated from the length of long bones in the body, of which the femur has the highest correlation with stature. Many a times, forensic anthropologists have to identify unknown dead bodies from fragments of bones that are available. Studies have proven that the total length of a bone can be estimated from fragments using population-specific regression equations. In the present study, the objective was to estimate the total length of the femur (TFL), in an Indian population, from measurements of its distal segment, using regression equations. Material and Methods: One hundred and twenty-one intact adult femurs were studied. The TFL and four variables from its distal segment were measured. Linear regression analysis was performed, and regression equations were derived to calculate the TFL from each of the variables. Results: The mean TFL was 41.9 ± 3.4 cm. All the four parameters of the distal segment showed a significant positive correlation with the total femoral length (P < 0.001), and of these, the width measured between the two epicondyles showed the maximum correlation. Multivariate and univariate regression equations were derived to estimate the TFL from these variables. Discussion and Conclusion: The TFL can be reliably calculated from the measurements of the distal fragments. These measurements can be used by forensic anthropologists for the estimation of the stature of an unknown individual.