Sliding Caliper holds important role in anthropology. Before get any further, here’s a little reminder that anthropometry represents a standardization for measuring the dimensions of the human body. This allows anthropologists to understand human biological variation with the sliding caliper. This article will explain the function of the Sliding Caliper in the field of anthropology! Let’s see!
Getting to Know Anthropology Through Anthropometry POV
In the context of anthropometry, anthropology is a scientific discipline that studies humans through the measurement and analysis of body dimensions and other physical characteristics. Meanwhile, Anthropometry provides a framework for understanding biological variation in human populations. This can be seen through physical factors as measured by an anthropometric approach.
In archaeological research and forensic identification, human body dimensions analyzed by anthropometry can help anthropologists and archaeologists to understand human evolution. Human evolution carries various information related to genetics, environment, culture, design and identification of the individual himself.
Read More : 4 Types of Caliper in Anthropometric Measurement
One of the researchers who uses anthropometry in his research is Alphonse Bertillon. He developed an anthropometric measurement known as the “Bertillonage” or “Bertillonage System”. Bertillon believed that body dimensions could be used to identify individuals with great accuracy. He collected anthropometric data from thousands of individuals and compiled a series of standard measurements that included body length, skull width, hand length and other body features.
Sliding Caliper Measurements in Anthropology
Sliding Caliper is an anthropometric measurement tool for measuring the physical dimensions of the human body. This tool consists of two movable jaws and allows the user to adjust both of them to the object being measured. Forensic analysis in the field of anthropology which is currently still an option is Suchey-Brooks. It uses a measurement method whose explanation we will present with the Sliding Caliper.
This tool allows anthropologists or forensic experts to collect human anthropometric data, compare individuals and identify them.
The various functions of the Sliding Caliper in the field of anthropology are:
1. Sliding Caliper Measurements for Determine Age
Sliding Caliper can be used to measure several body dimensions related to age determination. This is usually found in forensic anthropology which is based on reference tables. This formula takes into account the relationship between the dimensions measured by sliding calipers in previous studies.
The Sliding Caliper function for determining age can be done by measuring the length of the humerus and tibia bones. The Humerus bone is located between the shoulder and elbow. Meanwhile, the femur bone is located in the thigh or upper leg up to the knee. Then, the tibia bone is the bone that connects the knee joint with the ankle.
Age determination with a sliding caliper is intended to identify individuals of a certain age. Usually anthropologists group it with children, adolescents and adults.
2. Sliding Caliper Measurements for Determine Gender
Forensic anthropology can easily identify the sex of skeletons. For example, shoulder width (biacromial width) and hip width (bi-illac width) which can provide clues about bone characteristics in male and female sexes.
In general, men’s shoulder width tends to be wider due to greater muscle development that supports intense physical activity. Meanwhile, the pelvic bone which is the main indicator is often associated with the role of women in giving birth. The broader structure of the female pelvis is also related to hormonal differences and bone development.
3. Sliding Caliper Measurementes for Anthropological Reconstruction
Sliding Caliper serves to collect anthropometric data. This collective data includes measurements on skull width, frontal or forehead bone width, eye width and nose width.
This data is then interpreted in terms of identifying a particular race or ethnic group. However, this method needs to be supplemented with reference data known as datasets that are usually used by anthropologists.
Sliding Caliper Recommendations For Forensic Anthropology
Sliding caliper is one of a series of anthropometric measuring instruments, the Anthropometry Portable Complete Set Series. This instrument can take measurements of more than 100 dimensions of body measurement. The anthropometric data can be easily applied in various sciences.
The Anthropometry Portable Complete Set Series has been used by various institutions both domestic and foreign in various fields such as education, government institutions, military, architecture to forensics.
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