Forensic Anthropology
Name: ______________________
Purpose: To learn how bone length and height relate and can be used to solve death cases.
Procedure Part 1:
1. Using a meter stick measure the length (cm) of the bones that are listed in the table below for you and 2
classmates.
2. Use the equation table on the screen to calculate the height of each person in your group according to each bone
measurement. Record below.
Data Table 1:
Names-
Bones:
Femur
(bone length in cm)
Calculated Height
(in cm)
Ulna
(bone length in cm)
Calculated Height
(in cm)
Tibia
(bone length in cm)
Calculated Height
(in cm)
Humerus
(bone length in cm)
Calculated Height
(in cm)
Avg. Calculated Height
(in cm)
Actual Height
(in cm)
% Error
Procedure Part 2:
1. Using the table below calculate the approximate height (cm) of each individual.
2. Use the table to answer the questions that follow.
Data Table 2: (2.54 cm = 1 in.)
Bone # Type of bone Length (cm) Race
Sex
Calculated Height (cm) Calc. Height (in.)
1.
Humerus
38.2
Caucasian
Male
2.
Femur
44.0
African-Am. Female
3.
Ulna
25.4
Caucasian
Male
4.
Femur
52.4
Caucasian
Male
5.
Femur
43.9
African-Am. Female
6.
Tibia
43.7
Caucasian
Male
Questions: Answer the following questions on separate piece of paper and staple it to this sheet.
1. Is it possible any of these bones came from the same person? Which bones may belong to which
missing person?
2. What is the minimum number of bodies buried at this site? What is the maximum number of bodies?
3. Do all bones from the same body give the same height? If not, why would the heights be different?
4. Using the database, can you determine the possible identities of the people buried at the site?
5. Are the heights exactly what you expected them to be? Why or why not?
6. What are some possible sources of error in your identification?
7. What other forensic tests could you do to test your deductions?