Abstract: Objective To explore the assessment method of original height of L1-2 after vertebral compression fracture and its application value in forensic clinical practice. Methods A total of 154 normal thoracic and lumbar X-ray films were collected, and 140 cases were used as experimental group while 14 cases as validation group. The heights of anterior （Ha） and posterior （Hp） vertebral body of T12-L3 vertebrae in each X-ray image were measured. In the experimental group, the correlation analysis between HaL1 and HaT12, HpT12, HpL1, HaL2 and HpL2 was carried out, and regression equation was established via fitting. The correlation analysis between HaL2 and HaL1, HpL1, HpL2, HaL3, HpL3 was performed, and the regression equation was also established via fitting. The difference between the predicted and measured values of HaL1 and HaL2 in validation group was compared. Results In the 140 normal subjects, HaL1 （y1） was well correlated with HaT12 （x1） and HaL2 （x2）, and the multiple linear regression equation was y1=2.545+0.423 x1+0.486 x2 （determining coefficient R2=0.712, P<0.05; F=169.206, P<0.05）. There was no significant difference between the predicted and actual measured values of HaL1 in the validation group （P>0.05）. HaL2 （y2） was well correlated with HaL1 （x3） and HaL3 （x4）, and the multiple linear regression equation was y2=4.354+0.530 x3+0.349 x4 （determining coefficient R2=0.689, P<0.05; F=151.575, P<0.05）. There was no significant difference between the predicted and actual measured values of HaL2 in the validation group （P>0.05）. Conclusion It is more appropriate to evaluate the original height of L1 or L2 single vertebrae by comparing with the height of the anterior edge of the upper and lower adjacent vertebral bodies.

Key words: forensic medicine, spine, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae, fractures, compressive, linear regression