Estimating stature using human forearm and leg anthropometric data in an Australian female sample

Abstract

Stature is a key morphological characteristic used to identify deceased individuals in a forensic context. However, very few Australian-specific standards are published. This is likely due to a methodological difficulty in accounting for the significant level of ancestral admixture present in modern Australian populations. Here, we report new regressions predicting adult stature based on a morphologically discontinuous living female Australian sample. A total of n = 60 adult females born in Australia, n = 53 of which had at least one generation of Australian heritage, were examined for stature and extremity length using standard anthropometric methods. Maximum length of palpated ulnae, radii and tibiae were measured, yielding data for successful regression modelling. We report a total of 24 statistically significant models predicting stature from these measurements. The strongest simple and multiple linear regression models explain up to 66% and 62% data variation, achieving standard errors of estimate of 3.565 and 3.705 cm respectively. Our results are comparable to methods based on other populations. These new models expand current standards for identification of human remains in Australia, and complement global methods of stature estimation from fleshed human remains in mass disaster situations.

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