Hayashi A, Emanovsky PD, Pietrusewsky M, Holland TD. 2016. 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. Journal of Forensic Sciences 61(2):415-423. doi:10.1111/1556-4029.13030

Abstract

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. KEYWORDS: forensic science, forensic anthropology, stature estimation, anatomical method, S1 height, vertical space height