Modelling pelvic and lower extremity bone measurements for individual identification: a radiological study

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between pelvic and lower extremity bone measurements and to develop predictive models. Orthorontgenographic images of 200 Turkish individuals (100 females, 100 males) aged >18 were analysed. Ten pelvic and six lower extremity measurements were taken. Sex and side differences were assessed using t-tests. Consistency between sides was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients, associations between variables were examined using Pearson correlation. Canonical correlation and multiple regression analyses were performed to explore multivariate relationships between pelvic and lower extremity dimensions. Most measurements showed significant sex differences. Stronger associations between pelvic and lower extremity dimensions were observed in females. Certain parameters were identified as notable contributors, specifically MCh (mean right and left coxa height) and P10 (the widest distance between the linea terminalis) in females, and MChv (mean right and left coxa maximum vertical height) and P10 (the widest distance between the linea terminalis) in males. The findings of this study demonstrate that pelvic measurements can serve as predictors of lower extremity lengths. These results hold particular relevance in forensic contexts, where they may assist in the matching of bones in cases of incomplete or commingled skeletal remains, thereby providing valuable support for anthropological identification practices.