2: Estimating Skeletal Height Feb 13, 2012)

Stature: Estimating Height

Forensic Science can estimate a person's stature (height) by examining one or more of the long bones. The long bones you will consider here are the femur, tibia, humerus, and radius. Men and women have different proportions of long bones to total height, so seperate formulas have been developed for each. If complete long bones are available, the following fomulas may be used to estimate height within a range of +/- 7.5 centimeters:

Estimated height(H) of a female (centimeters):

• H = femur length X 2.21 + 61.41
• H = tibia length X 2.53 + 72.57
• H = humerus length X 3.14 + 64.97
• H = radius length X 3.87 + 73.50

Estimated height(H) of a male (centimeters):

• H = femur length X 2.23 + 69.08
• H = tibia length X 2.39 + 81.68
• H = humerus length X 2.97 + 73.57
• H = radius length X 3.65 + 80.40

Using the above calculations, calculate the following long bone lengths and heights. Show all of your work, measurements, and calculations. Remember that 2.5 cm = 1 inch. Be sure to include a range of +/- 7.5 centimeres.

1. A male skeleton was found in the woods with a humerus of 34.9 cm long. Approximately how tall would that person have been?
2. A body was found in the sewer system with a tibia 34.8 cm in length. What would the approximate height be if the body were a female? If it were male?
3. Using your own height (in centimeres), what would you expect the length of your femur to be?
4. Using a meter stick in class, measure the length from your wrist to your elbow (in centimeres) and calculate your height.
5. Using a meter stick in class, measure the length from your ankle to your knee (in centimeres) and calculate your height. Is it with in the range of +/- 7.5 centimeres of your measurement in number 4.