Juvenile Body Mass Estimation from the Femur Using Postmortem Computed Tomography Data

Skeletal estimation methods to reconstruct the juvenile biological profile are largely limited those estimating age and, a lesser extent, sex. While body mass is not generally estimated as part of in forensic investigations, this logical candidate for inclusion profile, it has long been interest paleoanthropology and several estimate currently exist. To explore performance juveniles, authors tested accuracy precision previously published panel regression formulae using two femoral measurements: breadth distal metaphysis cross-sectional polar moment inertia (J). The test sample consisted measurements 94 individuals from birth 12.5 years age, taken postmortem computed tomography scans housed at Office Medical Investigator, New Mexico, USA. Results indicate that estimates more accurate when than metaphyseal measures. Both formulae, however, consistently underestimated weight, magnitude underestimation increased exponentially with age. This suggests that, contrary what others have argued, complicated by population variation composition. study reinforces importance documenting investigating ontogeny human variation. global increase medical imaging clinical settings can be leveraged obtain skeletal data juveniles wide range ontogenic environments, marking an exciting time