Reconstructing stature is at the core of providing information on unidentified human remains. This research shows that there are significant differences between modern populations and those used to create the most common stature estimation formulae. New formulae for the femur and fibula in males and females were created to provide accurate estimates for modern forensic cases. Additionally, a novel measurement of the femur is shown to be moderately correlated with stature and stature estimation formulae for this measurement are included.

The identification of victims involved in mass fatality incidents, as well as the identification of unknown individuals in criminal cases has become an increasingly important issue nowadays. Sex assessment represents a key point in forensic evaluations due to its significance in providing biological identity. Even though the availability of documented skeletal remains to forensic practitioners is a common practice in many countries, in Turkey, contemporary documented skeletal remains are not available for this purpose. For this reason, studies have been focused on living populations. Previous research has shown that modern technologies such as CT scanning present very promising potential in establishing new standards for contemporary populations. Therefore, the main aim of this project was to examine the application of the measurements taken from 3D CT images of the femur in order to assess sex, and to contribute to the establishment of discriminant function equations for the Turkish population for forensic applications. The accuracy and reproducibility of imaging methods in the assessment of the measurements taken from femora are essential when estimating sex. This research also concentrated on determining the accuracy and repeatability of CT measurements, using the femur. Prior to primary data collection, a preliminary study was performed in an effort to test the reliability of the femur measurements. The results of reliability analysis indicated no significant difference between the three observations of each measurement. Thus, the methodology employed in the current study appears reliable and reproducible. In addition, a validation study was conducted to determine the linear measurement accuracy of the 3D volume rendering models derived from a medical CT scanner and the influence of different reconstruction parameters. The differences between measurements obtained from dry bones and their 3D volume rendered models were also evaluated. The results from this study indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between measurements taken from different reconstruction parameters and measurements obtained from CT images and drybones. Using the CT data, volume-rendering function (VR), 3D Curved Multiplanar reconstruction (MPR), and Scout View on OsiriX were employed in order to compare the accuracy and reliability of each rendering method and to determine which technique is optimal for linear measurements. Overall, the measurements taken from the 3D Volume Rendering images had the highest intra-observer reliability when compared to the other two rendering methods. This research study produced data and interpretations that will inform on and improve population specific standards of sex assessment from three-dimensional postcranial osteometric landmarks. Additionally, this research is believed to provide value for a developing discipline of forensic anthropology, and integrate within the existing systems of criminal investigation and disaster victim identification practices in Turkey. A Turkish sample population, consisting of 300 adult hospital patients was examined via the interpretation of CT reconstructed images using the OsiriX software. The 3D reconstructions were then created using the volume-rendering function in OsiriX (v.5.6.). Following the 3D reconstruction, an image of each femur was segmented from the surrounding bones to ensure the correct usage of landmarks as accurately as possible. Thirteen measurements were acquired using a 3D viewer after being located and marked on each CT reconstructed femora. These thirteen anthropometric parameters were measured and analysed by basic descriptive statistics and discriminant analysis methods using the SPSS 21.0 software package. The intra-observer variation was assessed by obtaining the intraclass correlation coefficient in order to evaluate the accuracy of the linear measurements taken. Asymmetry was also tested. The results indicated that an accuracy of 92.3% was acquired from a combination of six of the measurements, and the Femur Vertical Diameter of Neck (FVDN) measurement was found to be the most dimorphic with 88.0% accuracy.

Estimation of the biological profile from as many skeletal elements as possible is a necessity in both forensic and bioarchaeological contexts; this includes non-standard aspects of the biological profile, such as body mass index (BMI). BMI is a measure that allows for understanding of the composition of an individual and is traditionally divided into four groups: underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese. BMI estimation incorporates both estimation of stature and body mass. The estimation of stature from skeletal elements is commonly included into the standard biological profile but the estimation of body mass needs to be further statistically validated to be consistently included. The bones of the foot, specifically the first metatarsal, may have the ability to estimate BMI given an allometric relationship to stature and the mechanical relationship to body mass. There are two commonly used methods for stature estimation, the anatomical method and the regression method. The anatomical method takes into account all of the skeletal elements that contribute to stature while the regression method relies on the allometric relationship between a skeletal element and living stature. A correlation between the metrics of the first metatarsal and living stature has been observed, and proposed as a method for valid stature estimation from the boney foot (Byers et al., 1989). Body mass estimation from skeletal elements relies on two theoretical frameworks: the morphometric and the mechanical approaches. The morphometric approach relies on the size relationship of the individual to body mass; the basic relationship between volume, density, and weight allows for body mass estimation. The body is thought of as a cylinder, and in order to understand the volume of this cylinder the diameter is needed. A commonly used proxy for this in the human body is skeletal bi-iliac breadth from rearticulated pelvic girdle. The mechanical method of body mass estimation relies on the ideas of biomechanical bone remodeling; the elements of the skeleton that are under higher forces, including weight, will remodel to minimize stress. A commonly used metric for the mechanical method of body mass estimation is the diameter of the head of the femur. The foot experiences nearly the entire weight force of the individual at any point in the gait cycle and is subject to the biomechanical remodeling that this force would induce. Therefore, the application of the mechanical framework for body mass estimation could stand true for the elements of the foot. The morphometric and mechanical approaches have been validated against one another on a large, geographically disparate population (Auerbach and Ruff, 2004), but have yet to be validated on a sample of known body mass. DeGroote and Humphrey (2011) test the ability of the first metatarsal to estimate femoral head diameter, body mass, and femoral length. The estimated femoral head diameter from the first metatarsal is used to estimate body mass via the morphometric approach and the femoral length is used to estimate living stature. The authors find that body mass and stature estimation methods from more commonly used skeletal elements compared well with the methods developed from the first metatarsal. This study examines 388 `White' individuals from the William M. Bass donated skeletal collection to test the reliability of the body mass estimates from femoral head diameter and bi-iliac breadth, stature from maximum femoral length, and body mass and stature from the metrics of the first metatarsal. This sample included individuals from all four of the BMI classes. This study finds that all of the skeletal indicators compare well with one another; there is no statistical difference in the stature estimates from the first metatarsal and the maximum length of the femur, and there is no statistical between all three of the body mass estimation methods. When compared to the forensic estimates of stature neither of the tested methods had statistical difference. Conversely, when the body mass estimates are compared to forensic body mass there was a statistical difference and when further investigated the most difference in the body mass estimates was in the extremes of body mass (the underweight and obese categories). These findings indicate that the estimation of stature from both the maximum femoral length and the metrics of the metatarsal are accurate methods. Furthermore, the estimation of body mass is accurate when the individual is in the middle range of the BMI spectrum while these methods for outlying individuals are inaccurate. These findings have implications for the application of stature and body mass estimation in the fields of bioarchaeology, forensic anthropology, and paleoanthropology.

The identification of victims involved in mass fatality incidents, as well as the identification of unknown individuals in criminal cases has become an increasingly important issue nowadays. Sex assessment represents a key point in forensic evaluations due to its significance in providing biological identity. Even though the availability of documented skeletal remains to forensic practitioners is a common practice in many countries, in Turkey, contemporary documented skeletal remains are not available for this purpose. For this reason, studies have been focused on living populations. Previous research has shown that modern technologies such as CT scanning present very promising potential in establishing new standards for contemporary populations. Therefore, the main aim of this project was to examine the application of the measurements taken from 3D CT images of the femur in order to assess sex, and to contribute to the establishment of discriminant function equations for the Turkish population for forensic applications. The accuracy and reproducibility of imaging methods in the assessment of the measurements taken from femora are essential when estimating sex. This research also concentrated on determining the accuracy and repeatability of CT measurements, using the femur. Prior to primary data collection, a preliminary study was performed in an effort to test the reliability of the femur measurements. The results of reliability analysis indicated no significant difference between the three observations of each measurement. Thus, the methodology employed in the current study appears reliable and reproducible. In addition, a validation study was conducted to determine the linear measurement accuracy of the 3D volume rendering models derived from a medical CT scanner and the influence of different reconstruction parameters. The differences between measurements obtained from dry bones and their 3D volume rendered models were also evaluated. The results from this study indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between measurements taken from different reconstruction parameters and measurements obtained from CT images and drybones. Using the CT data, volume-rendering function (VR), 3D Curved Multiplanar reconstruction (MPR), and Scout View on OsiriX were employed in order to compare the accuracy and reliability of each rendering method and to determine which technique is optimal for linear measurements. Overall, the measurements taken from the 3D Volume Rendering images had the highest intra-observer reliability when compared to the other two rendering methods. This research study produced data and interpretations that will inform on and improve population specific standards of sex assessment from three-dimensional postcranial osteometric landmarks. Additionally, this research is believed to provide value for a developing discipline of forensic anthropology, and integrate within the existing systems of criminal investigation and disaster victim identification practices in Turkey. A Turkish sample population, consisting of 300 adult hospital patients was examined via the interpretation of CT reconstructed images using the OsiriX software. The 3D reconstructions were then created using the volume-rendering function in OsiriX (v.5.6.). Following the 3D reconstruction, an image of each femur was segmented from the surrounding bones to ensure the correct usage of landmarks as accurately as possible. Thirteen measurements were acquired using a 3D viewer after being located and marked on each CT reconstructed femora. These thirteen anthropometric parameters were measured and analysed by basic descriptive statistics and discriminant analysis methods using the SPSS 21.0 software package. The intra-observer variation was assessed by obtaining the intraclass correlation coefficient in order to evaluate the accuracy of the linear measurements taken. Asymmetry was also tested. The results indicated that an accuracy of 92.3% was acquired from a combination of six of the measurements, and the Femur Vertical Diameter of Neck (FVDN) measurement was found to be the most dimorphic with 88.0% accuracy.

Algumas vezes o processo de identificação humana se depara com situações em que pouco restou do corpo humano para ser investigado, nestes casos todos os métodos identificatórios disponíveis devem ser empregados. Neste sentido, a presente pesquisa foi desenvolvida com o objetio de obter dados que facilitem o entendimento do estudo realizado por Carrea9 sobre estatura, assim como verificar a possibilidade de estimar a estatura final usando os cálculos matemáticos desenvolvidos por Carrea utilizando duas metodologias distintas. Foi realizada a mensuração da estatura em 46 brasileiros naturais da cidade de Curitiba - PR, com idade entre 22 e 37 anos divididos em três grupos: Grupo 1 formado por 24 indivíduos sem tratamento ortodôntico com os seis dentes anteriores da mandíbula em posição normal, Grupo 2A composto de 22 indivíduos com apinhamento dos dentes anteriores da mandíbula antes do tratamento ortodôntico e Grupo 2B constituído pelos mesmos 22 indivíduos do Grupo 2A, porém após o tratamento ortodôntico finalizado, e com os dentes anteriores inferiores em posição normal. A primeira metodologia avaliada, a qual foi denominada de índice de Carrea (1), utilizou as fórmulas matemáticas desenvolvidas por Carrea medindo as grandezas raio-corda e arco diretamente nos modelos ortodônticos digitalizados, já na segunda metodologia, índice de Carrea (2), foi medida a grandeza arco no modelo ortodôntico digitalizado, porém a grandeza raio-corda, foi obtida dividindo a grandeza arco por uma constante (1,0472), observada na tabela de proporção progressiva descrita por Carrea9. O índice de Carrea (2) foi aplicado em todos os indivíduos da amostra sem separá-los em grupos, uma vez que a medida raio-corda foi calculada a partir da medida arco, portanto, não importando mais a disposição dos dentes anteriores na arcada inferior. A análise descritiva da percentagem de indivíduos com altura real dentro do intervalo médio de estatura estimada aplicando-se o índice de Carrea (1), 7 apresentou se da seguinte forma: Grupo 1 - 41,7%, Grupo 2A - 72,3% e Grupo 2B - 54,5%. O estudo do tamanho do intervalo de estatura estimada mostrou o seguinte resultado: 18,9 cm para o Grupo 1, 30,6 cm para o Grupo 2A e 15,4 cm para o grupo 2B. Quando utilizado o índice de Carrea (2), verificou-se que 15,2% dos indivíduos da amostra apresentaram sua altura real dentro do intervalo de estatura estimado, 8 cm. Concluiu-se que o índice de Carrea (1) e o índice de Carrea (2), não tem aplicabilidade como método para estimar a estatura final. Não se constatou, pelo menos de maneira explícita, que o objetivo dos estudos realizados por Carrea 8,9 era o de estimar a estatura. Porém, observou-se que o mesmo teve a intenção de calcular a estatura proporcional à somatória das dimensões mésio-distais dos dentes incisivo central inferior, incisivo lateral inferior e canino inferior ipsilateral. / Sometimes the process of human identification faces situations that little of the human body remains to be investigated, in these cases all identificatory methods available must be employed. The aim of this study was to obtain data to facilitate the understanding of the Carrea`s study 9 about stature as well as check the possibility of estimating final stature using the mathematical calculations developed by Carrea using two different methodologies. Stature measurement was perfomed in 46 Brazilian from Curitiba - PR aged between 22 and 37 years and divided into three groups: Group 1 consisted of 24 subjects without orthodontic treatment and with the six mandibular anterior teeth aligned, Group 2A consists of 22 subjects with crowding of the mandibular anterior teeth before orthodontic treatment and Group 2B comprised the same 22 subjects of the Group 2A, but after orthodontic treatment and with the mandibular anterior teeth aligned. The first methodology evaluated, which was called index of Carrea (1) used the mathematical formulas developed by this author in which the radius-chord and arch measurements were obtained directly from the digitalized orthodontic models. In the second method, index of Carrea (2), the arch was measured on the digitalized orthodontic models, but the radius-chord was obtained dividing the arch measurement by a numeric constant (1.0472) observed in the table of progressive proportion described by Carrea 9. Carrea index (2) was applied in all subjects of the sample without separating them in groups, since the radius-chord was calculated from the measured arch regardless of the disposition of the lowe anterior teeth. The descriptive analysis of the percentage of subjects with real stature within the range of statures estimated applying the index Carrea (1) performed as follows: Group 1 - 41.7%, Group 2A - 72.3% and Group 2B - 54.5%. The study of the size range of the statures estimated presented the following result: 18.9 cm for the Group 1, 30.6 cm for the Group 2A and 15.4 cm for the Group 2B. Using the index Carrea (2) it was found that 15.2% of the sample had their real 9 stature within the range of the statures estimated and the size of this range was 8 cm. It was concluded that the indexes of Carrea (1) and (2) have no applicability as a method to estimate the final stature. Its not confirmed at least explicitly in the studies of Carrea that was his aim to estimate the stature. It was observed that Carrea intended to calculate the final human stature proportional to the sum of mesio-distal dimensions of lower central incisor, lower lateral incisor and lower canine ipsilateral.

Algumas vezes o processo de identificação humana se depara com situações em que pouco restou do corpo humano para ser investigado, nestes casos todos os métodos identificatórios disponíveis devem ser empregados. Neste sentido, a presente pesquisa foi desenvolvida com o objetio de obter dados que facilitem o entendimento do estudo realizado por Carrea9 sobre estatura, assim como verificar a possibilidade de estimar a estatura final usando os cálculos matemáticos desenvolvidos por Carrea utilizando duas metodologias distintas. Foi realizada a mensuração da estatura em 46 brasileiros naturais da cidade de Curitiba - PR, com idade entre 22 e 37 anos divididos em três grupos: Grupo 1 formado por 24 indivíduos sem tratamento ortodôntico com os seis dentes anteriores da mandíbula em posição normal, Grupo 2A composto de 22 indivíduos com apinhamento dos dentes anteriores da mandíbula antes do tratamento ortodôntico e Grupo 2B constituído pelos mesmos 22 indivíduos do Grupo 2A, porém após o tratamento ortodôntico finalizado, e com os dentes anteriores inferiores em posição normal. A primeira metodologia avaliada, a qual foi denominada de índice de Carrea (1), utilizou as fórmulas matemáticas desenvolvidas por Carrea medindo as grandezas raio-corda e arco diretamente nos modelos ortodônticos digitalizados, já na segunda metodologia, índice de Carrea (2), foi medida a grandeza arco no modelo ortodôntico digitalizado, porém a grandeza raio-corda, foi obtida dividindo a grandeza arco por uma constante (1,0472), observada na tabela de proporção progressiva descrita por Carrea9. O índice de Carrea (2) foi aplicado em todos os indivíduos da amostra sem separá-los em grupos, uma vez que a medida raio-corda foi calculada a partir da medida arco, portanto, não importando mais a disposição dos dentes anteriores na arcada inferior. A análise descritiva da percentagem de indivíduos com altura real dentro do intervalo médio de estatura estimada aplicando-se o índice de Carrea (1), 7 apresentou se da seguinte forma: Grupo 1 - 41,7%, Grupo 2A - 72,3% e Grupo 2B - 54,5%. O estudo do tamanho do intervalo de estatura estimada mostrou o seguinte resultado: 18,9 cm para o Grupo 1, 30,6 cm para o Grupo 2A e 15,4 cm para o grupo 2B. Quando utilizado o índice de Carrea (2), verificou-se que 15,2% dos indivíduos da amostra apresentaram sua altura real dentro do intervalo de estatura estimado, 8 cm. Concluiu-se que o índice de Carrea (1) e o índice de Carrea (2), não tem aplicabilidade como método para estimar a estatura final. Não se constatou, pelo menos de maneira explícita, que o objetivo dos estudos realizados por Carrea 8,9 era o de estimar a estatura. Porém, observou-se que o mesmo teve a intenção de calcular a estatura proporcional à somatória das dimensões mésio-distais dos dentes incisivo central inferior, incisivo lateral inferior e canino inferior ipsilateral. / Sometimes the process of human identification faces situations that little of the human body remains to be investigated, in these cases all identificatory methods available must be employed. The aim of this study was to obtain data to facilitate the understanding of the Carrea`s study 9 about stature as well as check the possibility of estimating final stature using the mathematical calculations developed by Carrea using two different methodologies. Stature measurement was perfomed in 46 Brazilian from Curitiba - PR aged between 22 and 37 years and divided into three groups: Group 1 consisted of 24 subjects without orthodontic treatment and with the six mandibular anterior teeth aligned, Group 2A consists of 22 subjects with crowding of the mandibular anterior teeth before orthodontic treatment and Group 2B comprised the same 22 subjects of the Group 2A, but after orthodontic treatment and with the mandibular anterior teeth aligned. The first methodology evaluated, which was called index of Carrea (1) used the mathematical formulas developed by this author in which the radius-chord and arch measurements were obtained directly from the digitalized orthodontic models. In the second method, index of Carrea (2), the arch was measured on the digitalized orthodontic models, but the radius-chord was obtained dividing the arch measurement by a numeric constant (1.0472) observed in the table of progressive proportion described by Carrea 9. Carrea index (2) was applied in all subjects of the sample without separating them in groups, since the radius-chord was calculated from the measured arch regardless of the disposition of the lowe anterior teeth. The descriptive analysis of the percentage of subjects with real stature within the range of statures estimated applying the index Carrea (1) performed as follows: Group 1 - 41.7%, Group 2A - 72.3% and Group 2B - 54.5%. The study of the size range of the statures estimated presented the following result: 18.9 cm for the Group 1, 30.6 cm for the Group 2A and 15.4 cm for the Group 2B. Using the index Carrea (2) it was found that 15.2% of the sample had their real 9 stature within the range of the statures estimated and the size of this range was 8 cm. It was concluded that the indexes of Carrea (1) and (2) have no applicability as a method to estimate the final stature. Its not confirmed at least explicitly in the studies of Carrea that was his aim to estimate the stature. It was observed that Carrea intended to calculate the final human stature proportional to the sum of mesio-distal dimensions of lower central incisor, lower lateral incisor and lower canine ipsilateral.