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Abstract
Stature is one of the unique biological properties of a person, which can be used for identification of the individual. In this regard, statures are estimated for the unknown victims from crimes and disasters. However, the accuracy of estimates may be compromised by inappropriate methodologies and/or practices of stature estimation. Discussed in this study are the methodological issues related to the current practices of forensic anthropological stature estimation in Korea, followed by suggestions to enhance the accuracy of the stature estimates. Summaries of forensic anthropological examinations for 560 skeletal remains, which were conducted at the National Forensic Service (NFS), were reviewed. Mr. Yoo Byung-eun's case is utilized as an example of the NFS's practices. To estimate Mr. Yoo's stature, Trotter's (1970) femur equation was applied even though the fibula equation of a lower standard error was available. In his case report, the standard error associated with the equation (±3.8 cm) was interpreted as an ‘error range', which gave a hasty impression that the prediction interval is that narrow. Also, stature shrinkage by aging was not considered, so the estimated stature in Mr. Yoo's case report should be regarded as his maximum living stature, rather than his stature-at-death. Lastly, applying Trotter's (1970) White female equations to Korean female remains is likely to underestimate their statures. The anatomical method will enhance the accuracy of stature estimates. However, in cases that the anatomical method is not feasible, the mathematical method based on Korean samples should be considered. Since 1980's, effort has been made to generate stature estimation equations using Korean samples. Applying the equations based on Korean samples to Korean skeletal remains will enhance the accuracy of the stature estimates, which will eventually increase the likelihood of successful identification of the unknowns.
References
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Fig. 1.
Relationship between the left femur equation of Lee et al [46] [solid line] and White female femur equation of Trotter [8][dashed line]. Notice that the slope of the former is steeper than the latter. Two lines intersect at the point (35.817, 142.568).
Table 1.
Previous research related to stature estimation using Korean samples. Notice that six studies presented equations by which Yoo's stature can be estimated.
| Reference | Measurement | Dimension(s) used | Equations for Yoo's stature estimation and point estimates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kim et al. (1986) | Orthoscanography | Femora of males and females | Femur [cm] = – 7.76 + 0.31 × stature [cm] Estimate = 155.03 cm |
| Im et al. (1993) | Orthoscanography | Femora and tibiae∗ | Stature [cm] = 95.62 + 0.148 × femur [mm] Estimate = 155.26 cm |
| Choi et al. (1997) | Wet bones | Humeri, radii, ulnae, femora, tibiae, and fibulae of males | Stature [cm] = 2.93 × femur [cm] + 36.88 Estimate = 154.96 cm |
| Hwang et al. (2009) | Anthropometric | Knee heights of males and females | N/A |
| Lee et al. (2014) | Wet bones | Femora, tibiae, and fibulae of males, females, and unknown sex | Stature [mm] = 2.883 × femur [mm] + 427.728 Estimate = 158.96 cm |
| Lee et al. (2015) | Wet bones | Humeri, radii, and ulnae of males, females, and unknown sex | N/A |
| Jee and Yun (2015) | Anthropometric | Hands of males and females | N/A |
| Jeong and Jantz (2016) | Dry bones | Humeri, radii, ulnae, femora, tibiae, fibulae, and lumbar vertebrae of males and females | Stature [cm] =2.167 × femur [cm] + 69.544 – 0.0426 × (age at death – 20) Estimate = 154.62 cm |
| Lee et al. (2017) | MDCT | Femora of males and females | Stature [cm] = 2.610 × left femur [cm] + 54.081 Estimate = 159.26 cm |
| Jee et al. (2017) | 3D scanner | Feet of males and females | N/A |
| Kim et al. (2018) | Anthropometric | Hands and feet of males and females | N/A |
Table 2.
Stature estimates left femur equation and white female femur equation, followed by the differences between the estimates. Five different lengths of the hypothetic left femora were used.
| Left femur length | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean – 2SD (= 36.281 cm) | Mean – 1SD (= 38.608 cm) | Mean∗(= 40.935 cm) | Mean + 1SD†(= 43.262 cm) | Mean + 2SD (= 45.589 cm) | |
| Lee et al. (2017) | 143.887 cm | 150.501 cm | 157.112 cm | 163.726 cm | 170.340 cm |
| Trotter (1970) | 143.714 cm | 149.462 cm | 155.209 cm | 160.957 cm | 166.705 cm |
| Difference‡ | 0.173 cm | 1.039 cm | 1.903 cm | 2.769 cm | 3.635 cm |
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