The Estimation of Stature from the Tarsals: Enhancing the Disaster Victim Identification Process in Thailand Using the Calcaneus and the Talus

Abstract

ii ACKNOWLEGMENTS This thesis could not have been completed without the support and copious contributions of numerous people and institutions. The quality of this research was significantly enhanced by the kindly contributions of my thesis committee. First and foremost, I express gratitude to my thesis committee supervisor, Dr. Tanya Peckmann for her direction, supervision, devotion, and patience (during the countless hours spent reading and revising my work). As a teacher and an advisor, you have provided invaluable experiences and opportunities that have helped to shape my career, and I have grown so much as a scholar, teacher, and a professional under your tutelage. I also wish to thank the supporting members of my thesis committee, Dr. Michelle Patriquin and Dr. Claudia Garrido-Varas for their expertise and feedback. During my time at Saint Mary's University, Michelle has become both a mentor and a friend. So often I pushed forward with revived motivation after our impromptu discussions; you have been a valuable and positive resource throughout my degree. Thank you is also extended to Dr. Claudia Garrido-Varas, who was able to provide unique insight into this research based on her practical experience as a forensic advisor in Thailand during the 2004 'Boxing Day' tsunami. Thank you, Claudia, for agreeing to serve on my committee, and for taking the time to review my work while abroad. generous with her time over the years, guiding me through statistical analyses and interpretation on more than one occasion, and patiently answering my constant barrage of questions. Susan, your assistance has immeasurably enriched my research. Finally, thank you to my family and friends for their unwavering support, encouragement, and willingness to lend an ear or share a drink.

Stature estimation using the sacrum in a Thai population

“…The correlation coefficient, the R 2 , and the SEE of our models were not as high as the stature estimation using the long bone and non-long bone dimensions such as calcaneus and talus [ 9 ], vertebral column [ 8 ], sternum [ 29 ], skull [ 10 , 11 ], and lumbar vertebral [ 12 ] of a previous study in the Thai population. However, the accuracy of stature estimation using the sacrum was superior to that using skull and lumbar vertebrae images in the Thai population ( Table 9 ).…”

“…Consequently, other bones are required for stature estimation. Several studies have reported the correlation between stature and the non-long bones of the human body, such as the calcaneus and talus [ 9 ], skull [ 10 , 11 ], and lumbar vertebrae [ 12 ] in the Thai population and the metacarpal [ 13 ], clavicle [ 14 ], sternum [ 15 ], skull [ 16 ], and vertebral column [ 17 ] in other populations. The results indicated that these bones could be used for estimating the stature of the skeletal remains.…”

Stature estimation using the sternum in a Thai population

“…Even though the accuracy of stature estimation using sternal dimension in a Thai population of our study was inferior to those of long bones which can be estimated the stature with highest R of 0.783 and 0.785, and lowest SEE was 4.95 cm and 5.10 cm, for males and females respectively [ 5 ]. However, when comparing with the stature estimation model using non-long bones in the Thai population, stature estimation using the sternum was better than those of the skull and mandible but inferior to those of vertebral columns, calcaneus, and talus [ 25 - 27 ]. The stature estimation using vertebral column showed best R was 0.725 and lowest SEE was 5.796 cm [ 25 ], the calcaneus and talus showed highest R in male and female was 0.63 and 0.54 and lowest SEE was 5.95 and 3.06 cm, respectively [ 26 ], whereas the stature estimation using the skull and mandible dimension indicated the highest R was 0.403 and 0.709 and the lowest SEE was 7.319 cm and 6.216 cm, for males and females, respectively.…”

Nonmetric Cranial Trait Variation and Ancestry Estimation in Asian and Asian‐Derived Groups

“…This approach is arguably problematic because it neglects to consider factors that influence skeletal morphology, such as the unique population histories and structures that distinguish the various countries and groups that comprise Asia and North America. Although the methods for estimating ancestry, sex, age, and stature in Asian individuals are currently being evaluated and refined , the degree of craniomorphic variability with regard to ancestry among Asian and Asian‐derived groups has largely remained unexplored.…”