NCJ Number
246197
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 58 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2013 Pages: 1279-1283
Date Published
September 2013
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Estimating stature in human skeletal remains of Asian ancestry is problematic for forensic anthropologists due to the paucity and uncertain suitability of regression formulae.
Abstract
Estimating stature in human skeletal remains of Asian ancestry is problematic for forensic anthropologists due to the paucity and uncertain suitability of regression formulae. To address this issue, our study analyzed 64 individuals from a modern skeletal collection of South-East Asian origin and developed population-specific ordinary least squares regression formulae to estimate skeletal height from each of the long bones of the upper and lower limbs, as well as from trunk length. Results indicate that the most accurate estimates of skeletal height from a single bone as measured by standard error of the estimateSEE are from tibial length in males SEE = 2.40 cm and from humeral length in females SEE = 2.59 cm, followed by femoral length SEE = 2.84 cm. When multiple elements are considered, the combination of femoral and tibial length yields the best estimates in both sexes as well as combined sex samples male SEE = 2.40 cm; female SEE = 2.77 cm; combined sex SEE = 2.54 cm. Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley.