Technical note: Development of regression equations to reassociate upper limb bones from commingled contexts

Abstract

The major upper limb skeletal elements (scapulae, humeri, ulnae and radii) are frequently utilized for sex determination and stature estimation. Consequently, in forensic cases that involve commingled remains, it is crucial to reassociate the aforementioned bones and attribute them to the right individual. The aim of the present study is to develop simple and multiple regression equations for sorting commingled human skeletal elements of the upper limb. In that context, ten common anthropological linear measurements of the articular surfaces of scapulae, humeri, ulnae, and radii were performed on 222 adult skeletons from the Athens Collection. The functions developed for sorting adjoining bones presented a strong positive linear relationship (r=0.69–0.93, p<0.05). The values of the determination coefficient statistics (r2=0.47–0.86) were found to be high and those of the standard errors of the estimate were found to be low (SEE=0.88–1.61). Blind tests indicated that when metric and morphoscopic sorting techniques are combined, a reliable sorting of the skeletal elements of the upper limbs is possible.