RADIOGRAPHIC COMPARISON OF THE LUMBAR SPINE FOR POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION OF HUMAN REMAINS - A CASE-REPORT

A comparison of antemortem and postmortem abdominal radiographs showin g the lumbar spine was used to establish a positive identification of an unknown cadaver. A positive matching of similar unique skeletal fea tures, including large osteophytes of the third, fourth, and fifth lum bar vertebrae, distinctive features of the spinous and transverse proc esses, and identical angulation of an existing right lumbar scoliosis was established. A criticism of the methods used to establish the iden tification is presented.