Identification: stature from long bones: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Identification: stature from long bones

Sample item

A skeleton is recovered and the femur measures 45 cm. Taking the femur as about 27 percent of stature, what is the approximate height?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. About 167 cm

The femur forms about 27 percent of stature in the commonly quoted ratio, so stature is roughly femur length divided by 0.27. For 45 cm this gives about 167 cm. Regression formulae such as Pearson's are more accurate and are chosen according to sex and race.

Option by option

  • A. About 150 cm

    150 cm would need a ratio of 30 percent.

  • B. About 180 cm

    180 cm would need a ratio of 25 percent.

  • C. About 167 cm (correct)

    Correct. 45 divided by 0.27 is about 167 cm.

  • D. About 135 cm

    135 cm results from dividing by a ratio of one third.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is C, About 167 cm. The femur forms about 27 percent of stature in the commonly quoted ratio, so stature is roughly femur length divided by 0.

Why is "About 150 cm" not the answer?

150 cm would need a ratio of 30 percent.

Why is "About 180 cm" not the answer?

180 cm would need a ratio of 25 percent.

Why is "About 135 cm" not the answer?

135 cm results from dividing by a ratio of one third.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Identification: stature from long bones in Forensic Medicine. 27. For 45 cm this gives about 167 cm. Regression formulae such as Pearson's are more accurate and are chosen according to sex and race.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Identification: stature from long bones?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.