ABSTRACT
As described in the textbook, forensic anthropologists employ two main methods for gathering data: anthroposcopy and osteometry. In later chapters, you will learn the basics of anthroposcopy; however, in this chapter, you will be introduced to the various ways that bones are measured. This involves using anthropometric instruments, such as calipers or an osteometric (bone) board, to obtain dimensions of osteological structures, such as the skull, pelvis, or single bones. (Interestingly, many of these measurements are quantifi cations of the anthroposcopic characteristics that aid in the identifi cation of demographic aspects of the skeleton.) These implements regularly employ the metric system, while much of the medicolegal community uses U.S. customary units (i.e., inches, feet, ounces, pounds). Thus, part of this lab involves converting from metric to U.S. measure.
