Reconstructions of Length of Radius From its Fragments- A Pilot Study in Eastern Indian Population

Abstract

In a demographically diverse, vast and densely populated country like India, the establishment of identity of a deceased assumes great medico-legal importance. It also poses a true challenge to the forensic scientist working in an environment where decomposition and taphonomic process are rapid. Structurally bones resist common degradation and putrefactive changes and remain longer as material for evidential value. Human skeletal remains are found under suspicious circumstances and doctors examining them need to give an opinion in the court of law. Forensic experts are often consulted regarding identification of skeletal remains. One of the important data for identification is the stature. The estimation of skeletal samples, for age, sex and stature are vital when found from sites in mixed lot. For this purpose, a technique will be highly appreciated for reconstruction of total length of long bones from their fragments. This current pilot investigation was designed to estimate the total length of radius using its fragmentary bone length in a population specific study thus in turn to employ them in stature formulae for population specific cases to estimate the final stature of the individual. After getting institutional ethical committee clearance, the study over 57 radii revealed linear equation where total length of radius was used as dependent variable and the different fragmentary length being the independent variables.