Stature

Question 1

what is stature?

Answer 1

• standing height
• body proportion fairly consistent from person to person
• predictable relationship between limb length and stature

Question 2

stature estimation

Answer 2

• correlation between limb bone length and stature

- regression equations derived from skeletons of individuals of known stature

Question 3

what are some things that can affect stature?

Answer 3

• genetics and environment
• trauma and environment
• varies on sex, age, geography, and ancestry

Question 4

stature estimation is affected by age

Answer 4

• height increases until adulthood, and then decreases with age
• this is because of the compression of soft tissues not bone length

Question 5

stature estimation is affected by sex

Answer 5

• males tend to be taller
• limb proportions are different between sexes
• need to determine sex before stature

Question 6

stature estimation is affected by geography

Answer 6

• human body form complies with the ecological rules of Bergmann and Allen
• varies with ancestry

Question 7

Bergmann, hot climates

Answer 7

smaller body volume, leaner build

Question 8

Allen, hot climates

Answer 8

longer appendages

Question 9

Bergmann, cold climates

Answer 9

larger body volume, stockier build

Question 10

Allen, cold climates

Answer 10

shorter appendages

Question 11

when do you estimate stature?

Answer 11

-determine after age, sex, and ancestry

Question 12

Fully Method of measurement of stature

Answer 12

-measurements of all skeletal remains

Question 13

what are the issues with the Fully Method?

Answer 13

• used small sample sizes
• all were European males
• and samples died in WW2 concentration camps
• requires a nearly complete skeleton

Question 14

linear regression of measurement of stature

Answer 14

• measure a long bone then apply a linear regression formula

- must know ancestry and sex

Question 15

living stature (MSTAT)

Answer 15

• used in the military and medical field

- can vary by 5 inches (shoes, mm fatigue, taller in the AM)

Question 16

self reported stature (FSAT)

Answer 16

• men tend to overestimate on their drivers license

- taller individuals are more accurate

Question 17

cadaveric stature

Answer 17

-varies by 2 inches than when alive

Question 18

stature accuracy: 0-birth

Answer 18

• very accurate
• fetal growth is very constrained, narrow tolerances for survival
• Hasse’s rule

Question 19

stature accuracy: birth-2 years

Answer 19

• less accurate due to catch-ups

- weaning time, less important now

Question 20

stature accuracy: 2years-12 years

Answer 20

• more accurate

- growth trajectories are fairly consistant

Question 21

stature accuracy: teenagers

Answer 21

• less accurate

- differences in timage and degree of growth spurts

Question 22

stature accuracy: adults

Answer 22

• very accurate
• stature is fixed from about 20-50/60
• later adulthood is less accurate due to compression