Ulna - A Tool for Identification

In the field of forensic anthropology, determining stature, which is one of the various parameters of identification for establishing individuality of the person, from skeletal remains, especially from isolated bones, has been an age old problem. Measurement of length of long bones is being widely used to calculate stature. The objective of this study is to estimate the stature of the individual by measuring the length of Ulna. This cross sectional study included 300 medical students of which 150 were males and 150 were females. The length of both right and left Ulna were measured along with the height of the individual. The measurements were tabulated and a linear regression formula was derived to estimate stature separately for both males and females. A linear regression equation was deduced for males and females as follows:

Males: Height = 80.068 + 1.681 X R + 1.618 X L Females: Height = 71.454 + 3.192 X R + 0.295 X L

Where R denotes right ulnar length and L denotes left ulnar length

The stature of the individual can be reliably estimated by measuring the length of the Ulna and it's accuracy is more in females compared to males.