Estimation of Maximum Tibia Length from Fragmentary Condition in Korean Populations

Lee, Je Hun; Han, Seung Ho; Lee, U Young; Kim, Yi Suk; Chung, In Hyuk

Abstract

Long limb bones have been used in the derivation of regression equations for stature assessment. Various papers to estimate stature from long limb bones were existed. However fragmentary long bones are found for analyses in forensic cases, it has impossible to derive regression equations for the estimation of stature from the fragments of these bones. In this reason, this study was tried to estimate maximum long bone length specially tibia as measured nine variables. The sample consisted of 170 tibias (55 males and 30 females). The ages for these specimens ranged between 18 and 91 years. Vernier caliper (Mitutoyo, Tokyo, Japan) and osteometric table (GPM, Swiss) were used to measure variable. Statistical analysis was made using SPSS 15.0 for windows to estimate maximum tibia length. The variables, seemed to higher than 0.5 R-square, were circumference the body that the point found nutrient foramen (CNF) in female and maximum breadth between lateral and medial condyle on the superior aspect (PAB), CNF in combined sex. Also, regression equations were made through the stepwise analysis. The R-squares were 0.499 of male, 0.685 of female and 0.617 of combined sex. In the absence of intact long bones, the equations derived from the present study can provide a reliable estimate of maximum tibia length and can estimate stature after all.