Skip to main content
Log in

Estimation of stature from long bones utilizing the line of organic correlation

  • Published:
Human Evolution

Abstract

Estimation of stature from skeletal measurements is of great interest in some studies, e.g. in forensic anthropology, where victims have to be identified. A problem occurring in practice is that the individual whose stature has to be assessed is in general from an unknown population. Alternatives to ordinary least squares regression are discussed. Application of available information about stature/long bone proportions leads to a general proposal called thethe weighted line of organic correlation, which is fitted to a wide range of populations. The effects of sex and race upon this line are practically negligible. These properties makes it suitable for use not only for forensic purposes, but also for the estimation of stature based on skeletons or skeletal populations from the past.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bach H., 1965.Zur Berechnung der Körperhöbe aus den langen Gliedmaßenknochen weiblicher Skelette. Anthrop. Anz., 20: 12–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bräuer G., 1988.Osteometrie. Pp. 160–232. In: R. Knußmann (Ed.): Anthropologie. Handbuch der vergleicheden Biologie des Menschen. Begründet von Rudolf Martin: Fischer, Stuttgart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Breitinger E., 1937.Zur Berechnung der Körperhöbe aus den langen Gliedmaßenknochen. Anthrop. Anz., 14: 249–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke M.R.B., 1980.The reduced major axis of a bivariate sample. Biometrika, 67: 441–446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fujii A., 1960.On the relation of long bone lengths of limbs to stature. Bull. School of Phys. Educ. Juntendo university, 3: 49–61. (In Japanese with English summary).

    Google Scholar 

  • Galton F., 1886.Family likeness in stature. Proc. Roy. Soc. London, 40: 42–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kermack K.A. &Haldane J.B.S., 1950.Organic correlation and allometry. Biometrika, 37: 30–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kruskal W.H., 1953.On the uniqueness of the line of organic correlation. Biometrics, 9: 47–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lorke D, Munzner H. &Walter E., 1953–54.Zur Rekonstruktion der Körpergröße eines Menschen aus den langen Gliedmaßenknochen. Z. Gerichtl. Med., 42: 189–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin R., 1914.Lehrbuch der Anthropologie in systematischer Darstellung. Fisher, Jena.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin R., 1928.Lehrbuch der Anthropologie in systematischer Darstellung. 2. edition, Vol. 2, Fischer, Jena.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin R. &Saller K., 1957.Lebrbuch der Anthropologie in systematischer Darstellung. 3. edition by K. Saller, Fischer, Stuttgart.

    Google Scholar 

  • May E. &Speitling F., 1975.Anthropologische Untersuchungen des jungbronze- bis frübeisenzeitlichen Skelettes von Esbeck mit grundsätzlichen methodologischen Uberlegungen zum Körperböben- und Index-problem auf matematisch-statistischer Basis. Z. Morph. Anthrop., 66: 129–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olivier, G., 1963.La détermination de la stature d'après les os longs des membres. Bull. Mém. Soc. d'Anthrop. Paris. 11e série, 443–449.

  • Olivier G. &Pineau H., 1957.Comparaisons entre les mensurations sûr le squelette et sûr le vivant. Rev. Anthrop. 3: 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearson K., 1899.On the reconstruction of stature of prebistoric races. Mathematical contribution to the theory of evolution. Trans. Roy. Soc. A, 192: 169–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rother B., 1978.Zur Rekonstruktion der Körpergröße. Pp. 199–210 (Ch. 10). In: H. Hunger & Leopold (Eds.): Identifikation. Leipzig.

  • Rösing F.W., 1988.Körperhöbenrekonstruktion aus Skelettmaßen. Pp. 586–600. In: R. Knußmann (Ed.): Anthropologie. Handbuch der vergleichenden Anthropologie des Menschen Begründet von Rudolf Martin. Fischer, Stuttgart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saller K., 1931.Die Fehmaraner. Fischer, Jena.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seim E. &Sæther B.E., 1983.On rethinking allometry: Which regression model to use? J. theor. Biol., 104: 161–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sprent P., 1969.Models in Regression. Methuen, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teissier G., 1948.La relation d'allométrie; sa signification statistique et biologique. Biometrics, 4: 14–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teissier G., 1955.Sûr la détermination de l'axe d'un nuage réctiligne de points. Biometrics 11: 344–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Telkkä A., 1950.On the prediction of human stature from the long bones. Acta Anat., 9: 103–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trotter M. &Gleser G.C., 1951.The effect of ageing on stature. Am. J. Phys. Anthrop., NS. 9: 311–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trotter M. &Gleser G.C., 1952.Estimation of stature from long bones of American Whites and Negroes. Am. J. Phys. Anthrop. NS. 10: 463–514.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trotter M. &Gleser G.C., 1958.A re-evaluation of stature based on measurements taken during life and long bones after death. Am. J. Phys. Anthrop. NS. 16: 79–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sjøvold, T. Estimation of stature from long bones utilizing the line of organic correlation. Hum. Evol. 5, 431–447 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02435593

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02435593

Key words

Navigation