Abstract: Objective To establish the regression equations and to evaluate the feasibility of measuring dimensions of cervical vertebrae with lateral films of computer radiography (CR). Methods Anterior heights and posterior heights of C3-C7 were measured in the lateral films of the cervical vertebrae in 150 adult males from Sichuan Han population in China. The body height of each individual was recorded. Linear regression analysis between the height of the cervical vertebrae and body height was performed to establish the regression equations for stature estimation. In addition, the paired t-test between the predictive value and the actual body height, the residual analysis, the test of equal scedasticity and colinearity were performed in all equations. Results Thirty one statistically significant simple regression equations and 20 statistically significant multiple regressions equations were established. The coefficiencies of multiple correlations were from 0.656 to 0.259 and the standard errors of estimate were between 4.30 cm and 5.79 cm. Conclusion All equations established could be used to estimate the body height of the Han population of Sichuan adult males. It could be helpful to estimate statures from the CR films based on the dimensions of cervical vertebrae.

Key words: forensic anthropology, forensic radiology, cervical vetebrae, stature estimation