Various differences in skeletons by age, weight, sex, height

Female skeletons

Larger, wider pelvis with a wide opening. Sacrum pushed further back.

Thinner, lighter bones

Tend to be shorter

Male skeletons

Narrower pelvis with heart shaped opening

Thicker, heavier bones

Tend to be taller

How is age determined?

Ossification and number of bones

Wear and tear on teeth

size and number of teeth

Skull sutures fused or not

Size of bones

How is height estimated?

1. Measure long bone like the femur and numerous for length and width at the widest parts

2. multiply by a certain number (depending on the bone)

3. add and subtract by certain number (depending on bone) to estimate a range.

How is weight determined?

Measure long bones for length and circumference, which correlate with body build and weight

How is the sex of a skull identified?

Size, weight of bone

Shape of the forehead, eye orbit, jaw, chin, brow bone

Projection of the chin, nuchal crest, mastoid process