Reconstruction of femur length from its fragments in South Indian males

Abstract

Stature is one of the essential parameters in the establishment of identity of an individual. It is well documented from the previous studies that intact femur has the highest correlation with stature and as such widely used in the regression equation derivations. However, the femur is not always recovered intact in forensic cases, thereby rendering the equations derived from the whole bone inappropriate for analysis. This has necessitated the derivation of regression equations for estimating the length of femur, from the fragments of femur. The calculated maximum femoral length can then be used to estimate the stature of the individual by the regression equations, tables or the multiplication factors already established by the various studies.Seven variables were measured in a sample of 60 male femora. All the measurements showed positive degree of correlation. Regression equations for the estimation of maximum length of femur were derived. It is therefore stated that in the absence of intact femur, regression equations derived from the present study can provide a reliable estimate of maximum length of femur in South Indian males and thereby the adult stature.