A forensic case of sacralization of the sixth lumbar vertebra in skeletal remains.

Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTVs) are a common congenital anomaly of the spine. In the present case, we observed LSTVs in the excessive (sixth lumbar) vertebra. In forensic practice, this anomaly may be useful for personal identification of skeletal remains.

Prior surgical intervention of the bone; useful finding for the examination of the skeletal remains.

In general, personal identification is an important part of forensic practice. Evidence of prior surgery in a skeletonized remains is a useful findings for personal identification. Here we describe two cases where bone scarring shows evidence of prior surgery, and how these findings become useful information for identification of the victims.