Methods for Estimating Missing Human Skeletal Element Osteometric Dimensions Employed in the Revised Fully Technique for Estimating Stature

摘要

One of the greatest limitations to thenapplication of the revised Fully anatomical stature estima-ntion method is the inability to measure some of the skele-ntal elements required in its calculation. These elementndimensions cannot be obtained due to taphonomic factors,nincomplete excavation, or disease processes, and result innmissing data. This study examines methods of imputingnthese missing dimensions using observable Fully measure-nments from the skeleton and the accuracy of incorporatingnthese missing element estimations into anatomical staturenreconstruction. These are further assessed against staturenestimations obtained from mathematical regression formu-nlae for the lower limb bones (femur and tibia). Two thou-nsand seven hundred and seventeen North and SouthnAmerican indigenous skeletons were measured, and sub-nsets of these with observable Fully dimensions were usednto simulate missing elements and create estimation meth-nods and equations. Comparisons were made directlynbetween anatomically reconstructed statures and mathe-nmatically derived statures, as well as with anatomicallynderived statures with imputed missing dimensions. Thesenanalyses demonstrate that, while mathematical staturenestimations are more accurate, anatomical statures incor-nporating missing dimensions are not appreciably lessnaccurate and are more precise. The anatomical staturenestimation method using imputed missing dimensions isnsupported. Missing element estimation, however, is lim-nited to the vertebral column (only when lumbar vertebraenare present) and to talocalcaneal height (only when fem-nora and tibiae are present). Crania, entire vertebral col-numns, and femoral or tibial lengths cannot be reliablynestimated. Further discussion of the applicability of thesenmethods is discussed