Metric Methods for the Biological Profile in Forensic Anthropology: Sex, Ancestry, and Stature
Year: 2016
Type: review
Abstract: The biological profile, conducted by a forensic anthropologist, is necessary for severely decomposed or skeletonized remains. The biological profile consists of estimates of sex, age, ancestry, and stature. It is crucial to have a correct estimate of sex, as this designation will narrow down the search through missing persons reports by half (e.g., searching through NamUs). However, sex estimates can be population specific, necessitating accurate ancestry estimation. When estimates of age and stature are added, the search narrows further. If these estimates are incorrect, the unidentified human remains may never be identified. These biological profile components are estimated based on either metric or nonmetric methods (visual observation and recording of categorical data). While age is inherently nonmetric, stature is inherently metric. Estimates of sex and ancestry can take a metric or nonmetric approach. The purpose of this review article is to review metric methods in forensic anthropology (sex, ancestry, and stature), to provide general knowledge of why and how these metric methods work, and to highlight that estimates of sex, ancestry, and stature do not subscribe to a "one size fits all" model.
Source: Academic Forensic Pathology
DOI: 10.23907/2016.040
Author: M. Kate Spradley
Institution: Texas State University
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2607205768