Human identification from the ankle with pre- and postsurgical radiographs

Fifty-four sets of presurgical ("premortem") and postsurgical ("postmortem") foot and ankle radiographs were retrospectively evaluated to simulate a postmortem identification. The entire foot and ankle was examined in a previous study. The present study evaluates only the ankle for positive identification. Results are consistent with our earlier investigation of pre- and postsurgical foot and ankle radiographic comparisons and indicate that surgical intervention with subsequent healing does not preclude positive identification. However, the ankle contains fewer skeletal features unique to an individual than does the entire foot. Hence, the ankle may be less useful than the foot for establishing positive identification from radiographic comparisons.