Metric pair-matching of calcanei in commingled human remains cases : a case study from South Africa

Abstract

The current research uses the calcaneus to establish an accurate method of osteometric pair-matching in White, Black, and Coloured South Africans. Paired calcanei of 419 individuals (210 males, 209 females), 20 to 103 years old, were utilized. Six measurements were collected from each calcaneus. The MAXL and MIDB exhibited the least amount of directional and absolute asymmetry. Articular facets (DAFL, DAFB, MAFL, and MAFB) exhibited greater degrees of directional and absolute asymmetry. There were no statistically significant differences in directional and absolute asymmetry between sexes for most variables. There were statistically significant differences in absolute asymmetry between the three South African populations for some variables. Therefore, population-specific osteometric pair-matching methods are necessary. The statistic M was utilized to create reference tables for osteometric pair-matching. The values of M for MAXL for pair-matching comparisons resulted in the greatest reduction in the number of possible pairs with acceptable false rejection rates. The osteometric pair-matching tables of the current study can be combined with visual pair-matching techniques to assist in resolution of commingled remains cases.