Metric Methods for the Biological Profile in Forensic Anthropology: Sex, Ancestry, and Stature

M. Kate Spradley

129 citations0/0 files storedAcademic Forensic Pathology

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Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies Forensic and Genetic Research Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies

Abstract

The biological profile, conducted by a forensic anthropologist, is necessary for severely decomposed or skeletonized remains. The biological profile consists of estimates of sex, age, ancestry, and stature. It is crucial to have a correct estimate of sex, as this designation will narrow down the search through missing persons reports by half (e.g., searching through NamUs). However, sex estimates can be population specific, necessitating accurate ancestry estimation. When estimates of age and stature are added, the search narrows further. If these estimates are incorrect, the unidentified human remains may never be identified. These biological profile components are estimated based on either metric or nonmetric methods (visual observation and recording of categorical data). While age is inherently nonmetric, stature is inherently metric. Estimates of sex and ancestry can take a metric or nonmetric approach. The purpose of this review article is to review metric methods in forensic anthropology (sex, ancestry, and stature), to provide general knowledge of why and how these metric methods work, and to highlight that estimates of sex, ancestry, and stature do not subscribe to a "one size fits all" model.

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References

1952Estimation of stature from long bones of American Whites and Negroes 2011Sex Estimation in Forensic Anthropology: Skull Versus Postcranial Elements 2005DSP: A tool for probabilistic sex diagnosis using worldwide variability in hip-bone measurements 2008New perspectives in forensic anthropology 2012A revised method of sexing the human innominate using Phenice's nonmetric traits and statistical methods 2006Revision of the Fully technique for estimating statures 2004History and demographic composition of the Robert J. Terry anatomical collection 2009Understanding race and human variation: Why forensic anthropologists are good at identifying race

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2020Ancestry estimation in forensic anthropology: A review 2023An interdisciplinary forensic approach for human remains identification and missing persons investigations 2019Ancestry Estimation Using Cranial and Postcranial Macromorphoscopic Traits 2021Age-related differences in cranial sexual dimorphism in contemporary Europe 2023Cranio-facial bones evaluation based on clinical CT data for sex determination in Northwest Indian population

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