Open Access, Peer-reviewed
pISSN 2671-5651
eISSN 2671-566X
    Korean J Phys Anthropol. 2018 Dec;31(4):121-131. Korean.
    Published online Dec 31, 2018.
    https://doi.org/10.11637/kjpa.2018.31.4.121
    © 2018 Korean Association of Physical Anthropologists
    Original Article

    Analytical Review of the Forensic Anthropological Techniques for Stature Estimation in Korea

    Yangseung Jeong,1 and Eun Jin Woo2
      • 1Department of Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Middle Tennessee State University, USA.
      • 2Department of History, College of Liberal Art, Sejong University, Korea.
    • Correspondence to: Yangseung Jeong (Department of Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Middle Tennessee State University). Email: yangseung.jeong@mtsu.edu
    Received October 12, 2018; Revised December 02, 2018; Accepted December 04, 2018.

    This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

    Abstract

    Stature is one of the unique biological properties of a person, which can be used for identification of the individual. In this regard, statures are estimated for the unknown victims from crimes and disasters. However, the accuracy of estimates may be compromised by inappropriate methodologies and/or practices of stature estimation. Discussed in this study are the methodological issues related to the current practices of forensic anthropological stature estimation in Korea, followed by suggestions to enhance the accuracy of the stature estimates. Summaries of forensic anthropological examinations for 560 skeletal remains, which were conducted at the National Forensic Service (NFS), were reviewed. Mr. Yoo Byung-eun's case is utilized as an example of the NFS's practices. To estimate Mr. Yoo's stature, Trotter's (1970) femur equation was applied even though the fibula equation of a lower standard error was available. In his case report, the standard error associated with the equation (±3.8 cm) was interpreted as an ‘error range’, which gave a hasty impression that the prediction interval is that narrow. Also, stature shrinkage by aging was not considered, so the estimated stature in Mr. Yoo's case report should be regarded as his maximum living stature, rather than his stature-at-death. Lastly, applying Trotter's (1970) White female equations to Korean female remains is likely to underestimate their statures. The anatomical method will enhance the accuracy of stature estimates. However, in cases that the anatomical method is not feasible, the mathematical method based on Korean samples should be considered. Since 1980's, effort has been made to generate stature estimation equations using Korean samples. Applying the equations based on Korean samples to Korean skeletal remains will enhance the accuracy of the stature estimates, which will eventually increase the likelihood of successful identification of the unknowns.

    Keywords
    Forensic anthropology; Stature estimation; Korea; National Forensic Service; Yoo Byong-eun

    Figures

    Fig. 1
    Relationship between the left femur equation of Lee et al [46] [solid line] and White female femur equation of Trotter [8] [dashed line]. Notice that the slope of the former is steeper than the latter. Two lines intersect at the point (35.817, 142.568).

    Tables

    Table 1
    Previous research related to stature estimation using Korean samples. Notice that six studies presented equations by which Yoo's stature can be estimated.

    Table 2
    Stature estimates left femur equation and white female femur equation, followed by the differences between the estimates. Five different lengths of the hypothetic left femora were used.

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    MeSH Terms
    Aging
    Crime
    Disasters
    Female
    Femur
    Fibula
    Forensic Anthropology
    Humans
    Korea*
    Methods
    Metrics
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