title: A contemporary Colombian skeletal reference collection: A resource for the development of population specific standards.
abstract: Several authors who have discussed human variability and its impact on the forensic identification of bodies pose the need for regional studies documenting the global variation of the attributes analyzed osteological characteristics that aid in establishing biological profile (sex, ancestry, biological age and height). This is primarily accomplished by studying documented human skeletal collections in order to investigate secular trends in skeletal development and aging, among others in the Colombian population. The purpose of this paper is to disclose the details of the new "Contemporary Colombian Skeletal Reference Collection" that currently comprises 600 identified skeletons of both sexes, who died between 2005 and 2008; and which contain information about their cause of death. This collection has infinite potential for research, open to the national and international community, and still has pending opportunities to address a variety of topics such as studies on osteopathology, bone trauma and taphonomic studies.
authors.affiliation: University National of Colombia, Colombia; University of Granada, Spain. Electronic address: csanabria@medicinalegal.gov.co.
authors.forename: Cesar
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sanabria-Medina
authors.affiliation: University National of Colombia, Colombia; University of Granada, Spain. Electronic address: gretgonzalez@uan.edu.co.
authors.forename: Gretel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: González-Colmenares
authors.affiliation: University of Caldas, Manizales, Colombia. Electronic address: hadaluz.osorio.restrepo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hadaluz Osorio
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Restrepo
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Calle 7 A # 12-61, Bogota, Colombia. Electronic address: jm.guerrero120@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Juan Manuel Guerrero
authors.initials: JMG
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001842:Bone and Bones; D003105:Colombia; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009144:Museums; D044469:Racial Groups; D054881:Sex Determination by Skeleton; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Colombian population; Forensic anthropology population data; Human skeleton; Secular trends