Reference no: EM13950457

In order to calculate the height, in inches, follow the formulas below for each of the bones. Be sure to indicate height not only in the total number of inches, but in terms of feet and inches (i.e., a person who is 62 inches is also described as being 5 feet, 2 inches tall, or 5' 2"). NOTE: The calculations, of course, are different when measurements are in centimeters.

Bone (See Image)	Formula for calculating Body Height (in inches), but only if you use the, "uh, 'merican" system!
	Female	Male
Femur	Height equals (length of femur x 1.94)  +  28.7	Height equals (length of femur x 1.88)  +  32
Humerus	Height equals (length of humerus x 2.8)  +  28.1	Height equals (length of humerus x 2.9)  +  27.8
Radius	Height equals (length of radius x 3.3)  +  32	Height equals (length of radius x 3.3)  +  34

In order to calculate the height, in cm, as most of the world does, follow the slightly different formulas below for each of the bones.

Bone (See Image)	Formula for calculating Body Height (in cm) . . . The System EVERYONE ELSE Uses!
	Female	Male
Femur	Height equals (length of femur x 1.94)  +  72.9	Height equals (length of femur x 1.88)  +  81.3
Humers	Height equals (length of humerus x 2.8)  +  71.4	Height equals (length of humerus x 2.9)  +  70.6
Radius	Height equals (length of radius x 3.3)  +  81.3	Height equals (length of radius x 3.3)  +  86.4

Now plug in the following numbers into the formula to determine the height to the nearest 1/2 inch (expressed both as inches -- x" -- and as feet and inches -- x' + y") of the deceased:

Gender	Bone	Length	Calculations SHOW YOUR WORK!	Height x"  in Inches	Height x' + y" (Feet + Inches)	Multiply by 2.54 to get the Height in cm
Female	Femur	17.9"
Male	Femur	17.9"

NOTE: The same length is shown to illustrate the different calculations required for the same measurements, depending on the gender of the deceased.

Female	Humerus	11.5"
Male	Humerus	11.5"
Female	Radius	9.3"
Male	Radius	9.3"

Check Your Work using our Bone Length to Body Height Calculator

Gender	Bone	Length	Calculations SHOW YOUR WORK!	Height in cm	Multiply by 0.3937 to get the Height in inches	Height in Feet & Inches
Female	Femur	45.5 cm
Male	Femur	45.5 cm

NOTE: The same length is shown to illustrate the different calculations required for the same measurements, depending on the gender of the deceased.

Female	Humerus	29.2 cm
Male	Humerus	29.2 cm
Female	Radius	23.6 cm
Male	Radius	23.6 cm

QUESTIONS:

1. What is the easiest way to determine the gender (using the skeleton) of an individual, and why?

2. What is the easiest way to tell (using the skeleton) whether a teenager is lying about her/his age, and why?

3. Why can determining gender from a skull be difficult?

4. Why should a forensic anthropologist use more than one bone (if possible) to determine the height of an individual?

5. What other issue is important to question four, especially if there is only one bone from which to work?

(See Image)- https://shs2.westport.k12.ct.us/forensics/11-forensic_anthropology/skeletal_analysis_worksheet.htm#femur_humerus_radius