Reconstruction of Femur Length from its Fragments

The accurate estimation of stature helps to establish an individual's identity in medicolegal issues relating to skeletal remains examination. Stature is estimated using combined dimensions of bones responsible for living height or using regression equations based on complete long bone length measurements. In some instances like a mass disasters, these methods cannot be applied as complete long bones are not available. The aim of the present study is to derive linear regression formulae for estimating stature of adult Indian population from the fragmentary remains of femur. The study includes 50 male femurs and 50 female femurs of south Indian origin dissected from cadavers. Linear regression equations for various morphometric parameters of proximal and distal end of femur is derived to estimate length of femur and hence to estimate the stature of an individual.