Background:The primary characteristics to establish the identification of an individual are sex, age, and stature [1]. Determination of stature is easy if a complete body or the entire skeleton is found. When only some parts of the body or skeleton are available, it is necessary to have different formulae for determination of stature from their osteometric measurements. The present study aims to assess the stature of an individual from his or her sternum with the help of Posterior Curve Length (PCL). Methods:The study was conducted on 100 cadavers, including 50 females and 50 males, died 18 years or older age. The cases were referred for medico-legal postmortem examination to the Department of Forensic Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi. Sternum samples were obtained during autopsy (as fresh sternum) and after removal of muscular coverings, cleaned and dried at room temperature (as dry sternum) for the study. PCL was measured and linear regression was used to recognize sternum correlation with stature. Results:In our study which was conducted on fresh and dry samples of sternum, the stature can be estimated by 68% accuracy with linear regression equation of Y=91.51+3.5 (Posterior Curve Length of fresh sternum) with standard error±3.5 cm and correlation coefficient of 0.872. Also the stature can be estimated through Y=96.1+3.4 (Posterior Curve Length of dry sternum) with standard error of ±3.9 cm and correlation coefficient of 0.610. Conclusion:From the present study we found some synergistic factors which are helpful for estimation of stature from respective PCL of sternum which clearly shows that sample of sternum obtained from decomposed body, or in cases where long bones are missing, PCL of sternum acts as an alternative to estimate stature in Delhi population.

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Background: Identification is the determination of the individuality of a person based on certain physical characteristics. The clavicle is one of the bones which is less explored but has drawn considerable interest in this field, particularly concerning sexual dimorphism. Aim& Objectives: The present study evaluates the existence of sexual dimorphism based on various morphometric parameters of the clavicle in a dry sample and identifies the best predictor amongst these. Materials & Methodology: The study was conducted in the mortuary of the Department of Forensic Medicine, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal on 100 random cases (50 males;50 females) in which medico-legal post-mortem examination was done. After taking due consent, clavicle bone of deceased between25 to 60 years age group were collected during the autopsy, dried and then examined for the study. Measurements were carried out and statistically compared to evaluate sexual dimorphism. The studied parameters include Maximum length of clavicle, Breadth of sternal end, Breadth and Length of acromial end, Area of acromial surface and Mid clavicular circumference. Observations & Results: Amongst all the parameters, Maximum length of clavicle and Mid clavicular circumference are the most reliable parameters for sexual dimorphism with 81% accuracy rate when considered together. If all the morphometric parameters are taken together then the sex can be determined with 87% accuracy. Conclusion: Sexual dimorphism exists in clavicle and all the measured parameters contribute to different sex individually and with 87% accuracy when taken together. The derived discriminant function equations can be used to correctly assign the bones to the proper sex.