Juvenile Weight Estimation
This webpage provides free-to-use Excel files for estimating the weight at death of juvenile skeletal remains. The measurement protocols in each method are found in chapter 3 of the thesis of my former PhD student, Julia Meyers, Impacts of the Growth Environment on Cortical Bone Plasticity during Childhood (2023), accessible through SFU Summit Thesis Repository. Detailed descriptions of the measurements can be found in figure 3.1 on page 58 of Dr. Meyer’s thesis.
The methods are based on a sample of 77 children from the New Mexico Decedent Image Database between one month and 19 years of age. The individuals are of known age, weight, height, biological sex, and BMI. The equations are based on metaphyseal and epiphyseal breadth measurements and J-values, measurements of torsional rigidity. Both types of measurements were performed on the femur and tibia.
For both types of measurements, the combined sex and sex-specific equations are applicable to individuals 19 years of age and younger. The age-specific equations are for children (aged 0 up to and including 5 years), juveniles (6 up to and including 12 years of age), and adolescents (13 up to and including 19 years of age). The BMI-specific equations are for individuals above or below the 95th percentile. It is obviously not possible to determine the BMI of an individual before weight is actually estimated. These BMI categories should be used as a priori guidance only, when choosing the possible sets of equations. It is the range of measurements (minimum- maximum value) for each measurement that provides the actual boundaries and then the user will select the one they consider the most appropriate.
Metaphyseal and Epiphyseal Breadth Measurements
The Excel file to the left contains 3 sheets with different sets of equations based on combined sex, male and female, and Excel file to the right contains 2 sheets for Age- and BMI specific equations. The two Excel files below correspond to tables 3.5 (file on left) and 3.7 (file on right) of Dr. Meyer's thesis.
J-values
The Excel file to the left contains 3 sheets with different sets of equations based on combined sex, male and female, and Excel file to the right contains 2 sheets for Age- and BMI specific equations. The two Excel files below correspond to tables 3.6 (file on left) and 3.8 (file on right) of Dr. Meyer's thesis.