Name ______________________________________ block _____ date ___________________
Bertillion Anthropometry Lab
Introduction
Materials
Part A:
Poster board
2 paper fasteners
Hole punch
Pencil
Ruler
Scissor s
Stapler
Part B:
Calipers (from part A)
Meter stick
Ruler
Tape Measure
Stool
Index card
Procedure
Part A: Making the measurements
For this experiment, you should work in pairs. Make all measurements in centimeters.
1. Height
Standing without shoes up against a wall, measure the distance from the floor to the top of the
head.
2. “Torso”
Measure from the top of the head to the floor while seated.
3. Stretch
Measure the length from the left shoulder to the right middle finger when the arm is raised (see
diagram)
4. Width of head
Measure temple to temple. (See diagram)
5. Length of right ear
Measure the distance between the upper rim and the lowest point of the right ear lobe.
6. Distance from elbow to tip of the middle finger
7. Width of cheeks
Measure the outer edge of the right cheekbone to the outer edge of the left cheeckbone. (see
diagram below)
8. Length of left foot
Stand on your left leg and support yourself by placing a hand on the back of a chair as in the
diagram. Measure from the inside of the foot from the heel to end of the big toe.
9. Color of left eye
Data Table
Height
Torso
Stretch
Width of Head
Length of right ear
Length of left foot
Distance from elbow to tip of
middle finger
Width of cheeks
Color of left eye
Part B: Making a “identification card”
1. Convert the measurements for height, torso, foot length and elbow-fingertip distance to inches
(2.54 cm = 1 inch)
2. Mark an “X” on the measurement card for the appropriate tab.
3. Carefully cut the drawing out and glue it onto an index card to add stability.
4. Use a hole punch to make a hole through each of the 5 “X”s you have made
5. Use scissors to cut out all of the boxes that have not been punched
Part C: “Criminal’s” known measurements
Determine is any of your classmates match the suspects Bertillion measurements
Height
168 cm
Length of head
20 cm
Length of right ear
5.5 cm
Length of left foot
25 cm
Color of eyes
Blue
Post-Lab Questions
1. Is there more than one person with the same measurements in your class?
2. Name two factors that could cause error in the measurements taken.
3. Would you consider this the best method of human classification? Support your answer with at
least two reasons.
4. When would a description involving these measurements be most useful in identifying
someone?
5. Would this data file be good for identifying a criminal from an eyewitness description?
Explain your answer.
6. Suggest a better way to store information as opposed to the index cards.