Estimation of stature from somatometry of skull

In order to investigate the possibility of estimating stature from somatometry of the skull, we carried out a study on 124 Japanese cadavers (comprising 77 males and 47 females) that had been autopsied at our laboratory between July 1986 and June 1991. Somatometry of the skull was performed on diameter (distance between glabella and external protuberance) and circumference (length around the skull through two points: the glabella and the external protuberance). The regression equations calculated were as follows: stature in males=(diameter+circumference) x 1.35 +70.6 (standard error of estimate (S.E.) =6.96 cm); stature in females =circumference x 1.28 + 87.8 (S.E.=6.59 cm); stature in both sexes=(diameter+circumference)x1.95+25.2 (S.E.=7.95 cm). These S.E.s appear to be larger than those obtained for other parts of the body. However, in cases where identification is required by means of only the skull, this method could prove useful. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.