Study Of Distal Dimensions Of Tibia In Correlation With The Length Of Tibia

ABSTRACT

Background: In forensic analysis, the estimation of the stature is key in identification of an individual. Thestature of an individual can be estimated from long bones especially the tibia and the femur as these have directcorrelation to the height of an individual. The tibia is ideal in this application as it resists erosion and keeps itsanatomical shape for long even after burial. Mechanical loading is especially high in the distal ends of longbones of the lower limb and as such they display significant inter-individual differences. The use of distaldimensions in estimation of the length of the tibia from skeletal remains has not been reported.Materials and methods: 150 dry and processed tibias irrespective of side, grossly normal and complete wererandomly collected from a medical college of south India. Unossified bones, bones with diseases and injurieshave been excluded.Results: In our study, the mean and standard deviation was calculated for each of the dimensions. The resultswere analysed with simple regression analysis. Pearson’s coefficient determined for each parameter andtabulated. Simple linear regression equations were then deduced from the obtained data which would predictthe expected maximum length of the bone from its various other parameters.Conclusion: Simple regression equations are deducted from the obtained data, which would predict the expectedmaximum length of the tibia from its various parameters