Accuracy and Reliability of Total Body Mass Estimation Techniques from Stature and Bi‐iliac Breadth in Non‐Hispanic U.S. Whites from the Bass Donated Skeletal Collection

• Published in: Journal of forensic sciences Vol. 63; no. 5; pp. 1486 - 1491
• Main Authors: Schaffer, William C., Dunn, Tyler E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.09.2018
• Subjects: anthropometry; Bass; biological profiles; bi‐iliac breadth; body mass; Body mass index; Body size; Collection; Estimates; Females; Forensic anthropology; forensic science; Males; Physical growth; stature; United States > US; forensic anthropology; anthropometry; body mass; forensic science; stature; bi-iliac breadth; biological profiles
• ISSN: 0022-1198; 1556-4029
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13720

This paper tests the fidelity of a recent method that used the NHANES III dataset as a proxy to estimate total body mass from stature and bi‐iliac breadth in U.S. White males and females. The bi‐iliac breadths of 230 males and 152 females identified as non‐Hispanic U.S. White from the Bass Donated Skeletal Collection were measured, and along with stature from predonor paperwork, total body mass estimates were calculated and then compared to body masses recorded on predonor paperwork. Male and female samples were subdivided by body mass index (BMI [kg/m2]) categories established by the World Health Organization. Our results suggest that total body mass estimates can be accurately assessed provided that the individual is within 18.50 ≤ BMI ≤ 29.99 for White males and 18.50 ≤ BMI ≤ 24.99 for White females. Recommendations on how to report total body mass estimates are also presented.