Bone Measurement

“How To” Guide

2 ways to measure bones

• Measure lengths and widths

• Measure angles

Inside MeasurementNasal Width

• Measure at widest spot

Measuring with Calipers – inside measurements• place calipers inside space• spread out until touch both edges of object• read bottom row labeled ‘inside’

First # is where0 lines up. = 40

Second # is the first spotbottom and top linesmatch up. Read as a decimal. = .1

Measurement 40.1 mm

Reading Calipers: Inside Measurement

You try…What is the inside measurement reading?

Answer:35.1mm

Outside MeasurementNasal Height

• Nasion to Nasal Spine

Measuring with Calipers – outside measurements• place calipers on outside of area• bring in until touch both edges of object• read top row labeled ‘outside’

Nasion

Nasal spine

First # is where0 lines up. = 40

Second # is the firstspot bottom and top lines match up. Read as a decimal. = .1

Measurement 40.1 mm

Reading Calipers: Outside measurement

You try…What is the outside measurement reading?

Answer:10.1mm

Measurement with a protractor

1. Dot directly under 90 at vertex of angle

2. 0 line along one side of angle

3. Measurement value where angle’s other side crosses protractor

Answer: 120 degrees

You try….

What is the measurement of this angle?

Answer: 70 degrees

Pelvic measurement: sub-pubic angle• dot of protractor on pubic symphysis where bones meet

Pubic symphysis ramus ofL. ischium

• 0 line along ramus of left ischium

• read measurement on ramus of

right ischium

Answer: 77 degrees

Sources

Ward’s Natural Sciences. 2002. Sherlock Bones: Identification of skeletal remains.p.10,11,12, 16, and pelvis, skull