title: A Procedure for Calculating the Vertical Space Height of the Sacrum When Determining Skeletal Height for Use in the Anatomical Method of Adult Stature Estimation.
abstract: Estimating stature from skeletonized remains is one of the essential parameters in the development of a biological profile. A new procedure for determining skeletal height (SKH) incorporating the vertical space height (VSH) from the anterior margin of the sacral promontory to the superior margins of the acetabulae for use in the anatomical method of stature estimation is introduced. Regression equations for stature estimation were generated from measurements of 38 American males of European ancestry from the William M. Bass Donated Skeletal Collection. The modification to the procedure results in a SKH that is highly correlated with stature (r = 0.925-0.948). Stature estimates have low standard errors of the estimate ranging from 21.79 to 25.95 mm, biases from to 0.50 to 0.94 mm, and accuracy rates from 17.71 mm to 19.45 mm. The procedure for determining the VSH, which replaces "S1 height" in traditional anatomical method models, is a key improvement to the method.
authors.affiliation: Central Identification Laboratory, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, 590 Moffet St, JBPHH, HI.
authors.forename: Atsuko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.affiliation: Central Identification Laboratory, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, 590 Moffet St, JBPHH, HI.
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Emanovsky
authors.affiliation: University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2424 Maile Way, Saunders Hall 346, Honolulu, HI.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pietrusewsky
authors.affiliation: Central Identification Laboratory, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, 590 Moffet St, JBPHH, HI.
authors.forename: Thomas D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Holland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001827:Body Height; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012447:Sacrum / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: S1 height; anatomical method; forensic anthropology; forensic science; stature estimation; vertical space height