Is cranial multi-detector computed tomography imaging valuable for stature estimation in Egyptian population?

Abstract

Abstract Background and objectives Stature estimation is an initial and essential component of any medico-legal investigations. However, it becomes more challenging when only skull remains are available. So, the goal of this study is to assess stature estimation using cranial multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) images in a sample of the Egyptian population. Methods This clinical study was conducted on 150 Egyptian subjects underwent cranium MDCT with age ranged from 21 to 60 years. The measurements used were maximum cranial breadth, minimum frontal breadth, upper facial breadth, bizygomatic breadth, orbital height, orbital breadth, parietal chord, bimastoidale, maximum cranial length, basion-bregma height, cranial base length, and basion-prosthion length. Results The results revealed that stature and craniofacial measurements of males were significantly higher than those of females, all measurements were significantly positively correlated with stature in pooled cases, but the correlation coefficient differs in separate sex. Simple linear regression for stature estimation showed that the least standard error of estimate (SEE) values for the regression equations obtained when using bizygomatic breadth in pooled cases (7.9 cm) and in males only (5.7 cm), while in females using parietal chord had the least SEE (6.8 cm). Using multiple and stepwise regression analysis reported lower SEE values than simple linear regression analysis. Conclusion On the basis of this study, it is concluded that the cranial measurements obtained from MDCT images have limited utility in stature estimation among Egyptians, but could be used as an alternative method in cases where the best predictors, such as long bones, are not available.

Keywords

• Stature estimation
• Regression equations
• Skull
• Multi-detector computed tomography
• Forensic anthropology