Height estimation formulas based on lumbar spine length measurements (PLV2, SPLV, and LVTL) from postmortem CT images are not affected by aging, unlike sternal length-based formulas which overestimate height in elderly persons.
Key Findings
Results
Significant positive correlations were observed between all lumbar spine indices and height, with PLV2, SPLV, and LVTL showing the strongest correlations.
PLV of the second lumbar vertebra (PLV2) had R = 0.710
Sum of posterior margin heights of all lumbar vertebrae (SPLV) had R = 0.762
Total lumbar spine length including intervertebral disc (LVTL) had R = 0.761
Training dataset consisted of 183 postmortem CT images from 2016 to 2023, ages 19–95 years
Results
R-squared values and standard errors of estimation (SEE) differed among the three best-performing lumbar spine indices.
PLV2: R² = 0.622, SEE = 4.926 cm
SPLV: R² = 0.683, SEE = 4.515 cm
LVTL: R² = 0.692, SEE = 4.448 cm
LVTL showed the highest R² and lowest SEE among the three indices
Results
Height estimation equations based on sternal length overestimated height in elderly persons and showed a correlation with age.
Sternal length-based estimation was developed as a control comparison
Sternal length equations 'often estimated higher values for elderly persons'
Sternal length-based formulas 'did not take into account the effect of aging'
This finding confirms the known problem of age-related height overestimation in forensic identification
Results
Height estimation formulas based on PLV2, SPLV, and LVTL showed no correlation with age.
Residuals or estimates from PLV2-, SPLV-, and LVTL-based equations showed no correlation with age
This contrasts with the sternal length-based control formula which did show age-related bias
The study population spanned ages 19–95 years, providing a wide age range for testing age effects
Validation dataset of 78 postmortem CT images was used to test the formulas
Methods
Anterior margin height (ALV), central height (CLV), and posterior margin height (PLV) of each lumbar vertebra and total lumbar spine length were measured on 3D CT-reconstructed images.
Measurements were performed on postmortem CT images using 3D CT-reconstructed images
Sum indices SALV, SCLV, and SPLV were calculated by image analysis software
183 cases comprised the training dataset and 78 cases the validation dataset
CT images were collected from the authors' institute over 2016 to 2023
Kai K, Katsuyama M, Hayashi T. (2026). Novel height estimation formula that accounts for the effects of aging based on lumbar length measurements in postmortem CT images.. PloS one. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0339125