Application of anthropometric measurements analysis for stature in human vertebral column: A systematic review

Identification of skeletal human remains as the biggest challenge in forensic anthropology. Human stature estimation is an important biological profile component during forensic anthropological investigation. This systematic review summarised the application of anthropometric measurements on human vertebral column for stature prediction in different population. An extensive literature search was done in PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar from 2009 to 2019. The inclusive criteria include English studies that used anthropometry method on human vertebral columns for prediction of stature during identification skeletal remains. During the literature search, 38 related articles were found, whereby 13 had met the inclusion criteria. Most study showed a positive correlation of various anthropometric measurements on human vertebra column for stature estimation in different populations. This evidence-based review revealed the usefulness of anthropometric measurements using human vertebra column as an alternative method other than long bones for identification of human remains among different populations. Further studies are needed to determine the best reliable methods for stature estimation among various anthropometric measurements with a more advanced meta-analysis of the results on human vertebra column. � 2020 Elsevier Ltd