Name: _________________________________________________________
Investigation: Can You Estimate a Person’s Height from the Length of
their Bones?
At a nearby construction zone, workers have made a startling discovery. They uncovered several
bones that look like they were buried some time ago. You are part of a team of forensic
anthropologists who have been called in to analyze these bones. Unfortunately, the bones were
heavily damaged by the construction equipment. The bones have all been mixed up, and several
have been crushed. However, you think you can use the bones that are left to determine the
number of bodies and the height of each individual.
When a body is discovered, it is important to learn as much as possible from the remains.
Forensic anthropologists use mathematical formulas to estimate someone’s height from the
lengths of certain bones in their body.
1. Using a ruler or tape measure, measure the length of your femur in centimeters. This is the
large bone that runs from your hip socket to your knee cap. The bone that sticks out near your
hip is part of the femur and is called the greater trochanter. Record this information in the table
below for you and your lab partners. Gather data from at least three people in your class.
