Spina bifida, the normal, the pathological and the in-between: first evidence from a forensic osteological collection

• DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03066-2
• Publication Date: 2023-07-31T11:01:57Z
• Authors: Maria Torres Manso; Vitor M. J. Matos
• Keywords: Osteology; Spina bifida occulta; Forensic anthropology

Abstract Spina bifida (SB), a rare congenital disorder, is often mentioned as an individualizing factor in Forensic Anthropology. A lack of empirical data regarding SB noticed the scientific literature. Moreover, within scope anthropological research on disparities terminology, classification systems, and methodological approaches result incomparable results. The wide range (1,2%-50%) “spina occulta” reported prevalences good example. This aims to analyze debate standard diagnostic criteria human skeletal remains, attempts elaborate universal system, premised distinction between pathology, cleft neural arch (CNA) anatomical variant, according Barnes (1994, p. 360 [1). study-base 209 individuals (88 males; 121 females; 44–99 years old) from 21st Century Identified Skeletal Collection University Coimbra (CEI/XXI) was macroscopically analyzed, focusing sacrum remaining vertebrae. Four presented complete posterior opening sacral canal (2,6%[4/156]). observed bone changes, combined with analysis entire skeleton, indicate that CNA, rather than linked tube defect, most reliable explanation for these cases. Overall, CNA 11 skeletons (7.05% 156). viability applicability developed methodology identification SB/CNA forensic and/or osteological contexts are discussed, well possibility lower prevalence occulta, general population, speculated before. Highlights • has been studied so far under different methodologies, systems nomenclature, leading unstandardized data. pathological manifestation opposed simple form variation. Both spina fit trait