Difference in Upper Limb Length Measurements Between Different Methods at External Postmortem Examination

In gunshot-related deaths, measuring upper limb lengths is commonly performed. At postmortem examination, the upper limbs are commonly flexed from rigor mortis, and, for convenience, lengths are sometimes measured flexed. However, it is unclear whether there is a difference between the upper limb lengths when measured flexed and extended and placed in the standard anatomic position. This prospective study compared the upper limb length in 30 adults when the upper limb was in rigor mortis and flexed to when rigor mortis was broken, upper limbs extended and placed in standard anatomic position. In the first 20 cases, the limbs were measured without passing through the same bony landmarks and showed that the upper limb length was significantly shorter (mean: 5 cm, maximum: 13 cm, P < 0.05) when rigor was broken, upper limb extended, and placed in standard anatomic position. However, in the remaining 10 cases, when the measurements were taken through same bony landmarks (acromioclavicular joint, lateral epicondyle, posterior wrist, and tip of distal index finger phalanges), no significant differences were demonstrated (mean: <0.5 cm, maximum: 3 cm, P > 0.3). The results of this study showed that the standard method (ie, following the same bony landmarks) is needed when measuring upper limb length, especially when it can be in nonanatomical positions at postmortem examination.