AN321 - FORENSIC OSTEOLOGY
STATURE
ESTIMATION
by
W. B. WOOD
The University of
Queensland
The Scientific basis of
Stature Estimation
Stature is one of the physical characteristics used to assist in the
identification of unknown human skeletal remains.
The estimation of the antemortem living stature from postmortem remains
is dependent on the high correlation
that exists between certain bone dimensions (especially the length of
the lower limb bones) with body height.
A large number of studies have been carried out to develop methods of
estimating stature with reasonable accuracy.
The varying relationships of
bone dimensions to living stature between the sexes and and between different
population groups, has meant that estimation methods that have been
developed and applied for one sex or population group should not be used on
other sex or population groups.
Even within one population group, the relationship of bone size to body stature varies with age
and hence corrections must be made to the estimated stature to allow for this
age variation.
The variability of living
stature measurements
Use of different techniques
of measurement and interobserver variability will result in variation in the
stature measurements recorded for a particular individual eg driving licenses,
army records etc.
There is also observable diurnal
variation in the total stature of an individual due to variation in width
of the intervertebral discs associated with compression or relaxation of the
discs with posture ie when standing or sitting erect or lying down.
The prime focus of stature estimation from the skeleton are the limb bones, especially those of the lower
limb. Regression formulae have been
developed that relate the length of one or more of these bones to living
stature. (Trotter & Gleser 1952, 1958, 1977)
Estimation of stature in
Juvenile Populations
When dealing with juvenile skeletonised remains, often only the
diaphyses of the incompletely developed bones are recovered. Hence juvenile
stature estimations may be based on the total bone length (if diaphyses are
recovered complete, partially fused or undisplaced), or on the diaphysial
length only, if the epiphyses are unrecovered or unidentifiable. (Himes et al 1977)
The increase in the variability of the juvenile skeleton during puberty leads to less reliable estimates of stature within these age groups.
Estimation of Stature from
fragmentary remains.
Stature estimates from long bone fragments are based on the
relationship of set components of a long bone to the total bone length (and
hence to body stature). The maximum bone length is estimated from the fragment,
and then this estimate is inserted into the relevant stature estimation
formula. (Steele 1970, Simmons et al 1990)
The effects of the Secular
Trend on Stature estimation formulae.
Over the past 1-2 centuries, there has been a steady increase in the
average stature of living populations due to the influence of improved social,
nutritional and health factors. (Bock
& Sykes 1989)These improvements have meant that an increasing proportion of
the population group is achieving the full growth potential of individuals
within the group. This has been matched by an increasing rate of maturation of
the juveniles within the group, so that puberty is being achieved at an earlier
age than ever before. This is evidenced by the decreasing age of menarche
within female juvenile populations.
REFERENCES
Bock RD & Sykes RC. 1989 “Evidence
for continuing secular increase in height within families in the United
States”. Amer. J. Human Biology. 1(2):143-148.
Boldsen J. 1984 "A Statistical Evaluation of the Basis for
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Galloway A. 1988 "Estimating Actual Height in the Older
Individual." J For Sci 33:126-136.
Himes J.H., Yarbrough
D.C., & R. Martorell 1977 "Estimation of
Stature in Children from Radiographically Determined Metacarpal Length." J
For Sci 22:452-456.
Musgrave J.H. & N.K.
Harneja. 1978 "The Estimation of
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Shitai M. 1983 “Estimation of Stature by Long Bones of Chinese
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& Bass WM 1990 “Stature Estimation from
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Steele DG 1970 “Estimation of Stature from fragments of long
limb bones”. In Personal Identification in Mass Disasters. TD Stewart (ed),
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Gleser 1952 "Estimation of
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Trotter M. & G.C.
Gleser 1958 "A Re-evaluation of
Estimation of Stature based on Measurements of Stature taken during Life and of
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