Stature Estimation

Overview of stature estimation from the skeleton:

I. Background II. Methods

– A. Long bone lengths– B. Fragmentary long bone lengths– C. Fully’s Anatomical Method– D. Other

I. Background

Ranges: stature is estimated as a range ratherthan as an exact measure due to normal human variation

Variation: body proportions vary;some people have longer limbs andshorter torsos, and some peoplehave shorter torsos and longer limbs

Age: elderly people may haveactually lost some height asvertebral disks compress with age; subadults may not be finished growing

I. Background

Sex differences? There are tall women and short men, just as there are tall men and short women

I. Background

Age: growth vs. skeletal maturity

I. Background

Other – Health and Nutrition– Disease effects– Lifestyle

I. Background

Stature trivia– Reported vs. actual stature

Studies have shown that a lot of people over-report their height on drivers’ licenses

– Height fluctuations Try sitting in the driver’s seat of a car in the morning and note where the

rear-view mirror is; then sit in the car later in the day or at night and see if you need to adjust the mirror (we’re taller when we first wake up in the morning and shorter at the end of the day)

– Perceptions fashion may influence how tall/short

people think you are

II. MethodsA. Long Bone Lengths

What is done: – Maximum lengths of long bones are measured and

compared to data (of known individuals)– Regression formulae also used to estimate adult

stature range

Who:– Mildred Trotter and Goldine Gleser (1950’s-70’s)– Extensive stature research

II. MethodsA. Long Bone Lengths

Measure the long bone: – Which bone(s)?– In mm– Using an osteometric board

II. MethodsA. Long Bone Lengths

Correlate measurement with stature data:– Tables, charts, distinguished by sex and ancestry

II. MethodsA. Long Bone Lengths

Calculate stature using regression formulae:– Example: using femur length in cm, 47.0

2.15 (f) + 72.57 [+/- 3.80]– f stands for the femur maximum length measurement

101.05 + 72.57 = 173.62 cm– 173.62 cm divided by 2.54 = 68.35 inches, mean

173.62 + 3.80 = 177.42 cm = 69.85 inches 173.62 – 3.80 = 169.82 cm = 66.86 inches

Note: You will NOT have to calculate stature for the next test; however, please know the basic idea of how it is done.

II. MethodsB. Fragmentary Long Bones

Measurements taken on specified regions of long bones, correlated to stature– Shaft areas– Points between landmarks– A bit less accurate than complete bones

Why: because the maximum length of the bone must be estimated first, then the estimated maximum length is used in to make another estimate—the overall stature of the individual.

– Why and when might this method be useful?

II. MethodsC. Fully’s Anatomical Method

G. Fully and H. Pineau (1960): This method involves estimating stature based on most bones contributing to body length

Approximate summary—total the measured heights of:– Calcaneus, talus– Tibia– Femur– Sacrum (S1: 1st segment)– Vertebrae (except C1-C2—because the

posterio-inferior portion of the craniumcovers this)

– Cranium Only the bones contributing to height are used

II. MethodsC. Fully’s Anatomical Method

Why is this method reliable? Why might this method be difficult to employ?

II. MethodsD. Other

Metacarpals Phalanges

– Simply be awarethat these boneshave also beenstudied to see theirrelationship to a person’s height

– Even though this is less accurate, when might this method be used?

The End

Next: ID using Facial Characteristics