Anatomy and Cell Biology

Korean Association of Anatomists (대한해부학회)
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Stature estimation using the sternum in a Thai population

  • Verapat Jeamamornrat (Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University) ;
  • Tawachai Monum (Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University) ;
  • Waratchaya Keereewan (Master of Science Program in Forensic Science, Graduate School, Chiang Mai University) ;
  • Pasuk Mahakkanukrauh (Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University)
  • Received : 2022.02.27
  • Accepted : 2022.04.12
  • Published : 2022.06.30
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Abstract

Stature estimation is an important process of biological profile analysis for the identification of skeletal remains. In forensic practice, non-long bones might be needed for estimating stature, in case long bones were not recovered or well preserved. This study developed the stature estimation model from dry sterna in a Thai population. The combined length of manubrium and mesosternum (CMM) was the best single stature estimation indicator for males and combined sex samples, whereas the sternal area (SA) was the best stature estimation indicator for females in our study. The best multiple regression analysis models of our study were stature equal 122.685+0.182 (CMM)+0.592 (intercostal length between the third and fourth ribs [ICL34]) with a standard error of estimation (SEE) of 6.134 cm for males, stature equal 130.676+0.005 (SA) with SEE of 5.370 cm for females, and stature equal 79.412+0.342 (CMM)+0.506 (corpus sterni width at first sternebra [CSWS1])+0.794 (ICL34) with SEE of 6.222 cm for unknown sex samples. The results indicated that a sternum can be used for estimating the stature of skeletal remains in a Thai population. However, these models might not be suitable for other populations, especially, in case the suspected stature is over the stature range in our study.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors sincerely appreciate and pay great respect to the individuals and families who donated bodies and skeletons to the Faculty of Medicine for medical research. Moreover, the authors would like to thank the support from the Forensic Osteology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, and partial support from Chiang Mai University. This study was supported by the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University.

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