Estimation of height from the length of long bones in a Portuguese adult population

Abstract

Research was undertaken on 200 individuals (100 males and 100 females) from the northern districts of Portugal, all Caucasian, between the ages of 20 and 59. Height and bones were measured directly. Estimation of stature is obtained by applying a mathematical method based on a multivariable linear regression between the height of the cadaver and the lengths of humerus and femur. Humerus is measured on full length; femur is measured on both physiological and maximum lengths. Regression formulae and tables for males and females are produced for application in forensic anthropology when studying human skeletal remains. Comparisons are made between these tables and those of earlier authors, allowing us to verify important differences. One of the conclusions concerns the application of regression formulae based on some segment measurements. Due to the extremely high values of standard deviations, these may have no practical application.