Anthropological Measurement of Lower Limb and Foot Bones Using Multi-Detector Computed Tomography

• NCJ Number: 225589
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 53 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2008 Pages: 1289-1295
• Author(s): Claire Robinson B.Sc., M.Sc.; Roos Eisma B.Sc., Ph.D.; Bruno Morgan Ph.D.; Amanda Jeffery M.B., Ch.B.; Eleanor A.M. Graham B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.; Sue Black O.B.E., B.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.; Guy N. Rutty M.D., M.B.B.S., F.R.C.Path
• Date Published: November 2008
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined whether or not modern multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) could be used to perform osteological measurements of fleshed long (lower limb) and small (feet) bones with an accuracy comparable to that of traditional anthropological examinations of defleshed limbs; and if so, could this be undertaken using imaging taken at one site and reported at a remote site (tele-anthro-radiology).

Abstract

This study found no significant difference in the measurements taken by MDCT compared with measurements of defleshed bones by direct optometric methods. Any variations were likely to be due to interobserver variability in identifying bony landmarks and alignment in both techniques. This variability suggests errors with 95 percent confidence limits of 5 mm (7 mm for talar length); this study also showed the narrowest 95-percent confidence intervals for the anthropology graduate, perhaps indicating a more consistent alignment of the bone to the planes used with the optometric board. The study found that images could be sent to a remote site with an anthropological examination completed in approximately 25 minutes after scanning. This opens up the possibilities for anthropological assessment of contaminated body parts at remote safe site, rapid international peer opinion about the analyses, external quality assurance schemes, and the international collection of population data. This study imaged 15 adult human lower limbs in different states of decomposition. They were donated to the Forensic Pathology Unit, Leicester, from male and female adults who underwent surgical amputations, after giving fully informed written consent. This article describes the imaging; radiological measurement of the tibia, calcareous, and talus; maceration; osteology measurements; sex assessment; tele-anthro-radiology; and statistics. Radiological measurements were undertaken by three professional groups: anthropology, radiology, and forensic pathology. 1 table, 4 figures, and 20 references