The value of radius bone in prediction of sex and height in the Iranian population.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Measurement of anthropometric parameters of long bones can be applied in sex determination and height prediction. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of length of the radius in forensic identification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of anthropometric parameters of the radius was done by Legal Medicine Organization of Tehran, Iran studying fresh cadavers of Iranian population during 2009 and 2010. RESULTS: This study surveyed length of radius of 106 fresh Iranian cadavers, 61 men and 45 women, in the age range of 10-85 years old. The study showed that genders can be distinguished using the length of radius with a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 96%. Using the regression test, there was significant relation between the height of persons and the length of radius bone. The equations were obtained to estimate the height of the individuals on the basis of radius bone length in different age groups, with an exception in females of 40-64 Years old. CONCLUSION: In the cases of fresh cadavers, by using the length of radius, we could be able to determine the length of height and gender with high confidence.