What measurement is significant when applying the Ashley rule in females?

The Ashley rule is a forensic anthropological method used to estimate the age of a female based on the length of certain bones. Among the given options, the measurement of the sternum, specifically at 149 mm, is significant when applying this rule in females.

The Ashley rule posits that specific dimensions of the sternum can be indicative of the biological age of females at skeletal maturity. The length of the sternum is particularly valuable because it is less subject to variation from environmental factors, physical activity, or other influences that can affect other bones.

While other bones such as the radius, femur, and tibia can be measured, their use in estimating age in females is generally less embraced in this specific context, which emphasizes the distinct role of the sternum according to the Ashley rule. Thus, the correct choice highlights the importance of sternal measurement for forensic age estimation.