Anthropometry is the study of human body measurements and proportions. It involves measuring dimensions such as height, weight, limb lengths, widths, and depths to identify physical characteristics. Some key applications of anthropometry include criminal identification, racial differentiation, ergonomic design, and monitoring growth and nutrition levels in populations. Modern anthropometry utilizes 3D body scanning and digital modeling to capture a comprehensive set of body measurements for applications in forensics, biometrics, clothing fit, and healthcare.

1. Anthropometry
By : Aamir Rauf Memon
2nd Year DPT Student
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2. What is Anthropometry?
Greek
 Anthro- : man
 -pometry: measurements
 Literal meaning: “measurement of humans”
The study of measurements or proportions
of the human body according to sex, age,
etc. for identification purposes
 Dimensions of bones, muscles, and adipose
(fat) tissues
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3. Definition of Anthropometry
Anthrop(s) = human
Metricos = of or pertaining to measurement
Basic Definition
The science of measurement of body size [NASA, 1978].
Detailed Definition
“The application of scientific methods to human subjects
for the development of design standards & specific
requirements and for the evaluation of engineering
drawings, mock-ups & manufactured products for the
purposes of assuring the suitability of these products for
the intended user population.”
[Roebuck, Kroemer & Thompson, 1975].
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4. Definition of Anthropometry
“Anthropometry is a science that deals
with the measurement of size, weight, and
proportions of the human body. It is
empirical (experimentally derived) in
nature and has developed quantitative
methods to measure various physical
dimensions.” (Chaffin, 1984)
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5. Historical Perspective
13th century Marco Polo noticed different
body sizes and shapes of new races
 Physical Anthropology traced to him
Leonardo da Vinci (The Vitruvian Man,
1485)
Standards start to show in 1906 (Monaco)
and 1912 (Geneva)
Anthropology branch of US Air Force had
dramatic impact
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6. History of Anthropometry
1883- Alphonse Bertillon: system of
identification depending on the unchanging
character of certain measurements of parts of
the human body
1884: 241 multiple offenders were identified
“Bertillonage”- first adapted by the French
police
1887: introduced in the United States by Major
McClaughry, the translator of Bertillon's book,
when he was the warden of the Illinois State
Penitentiary at Joliet.
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7. History of Anthropometry
1888: Francis Galton starts research on
“Finger Prints” to further anthropometry
1892: Francis Galton publishes Finger
Prints
1894: England adopted the system.
1903: Will West & William West
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8. Galton’s Discovery because of
Anthropometry?
“My attention was first drawn to the ridges in 1888 when
preparing a lecture on Personal Identification for the Royal
Institution, which had for its principal object an account of the
anthropometric method of Bertillon, then newly introduced into
the prison administration of France. Wishing to treat the subject
generally, and having a vague knowledge of the value
sometimes assigned to finger marks, I made inquiries, and was
surprised to find, both how much had been done, and how much
there remained to do, before establishing their theoretical value
and practical utility.
Enough was then seen to show that the subject was of real
importance, and I resolved to investigate it; all the more so, as
the modern processes of photographic printing would enable the
evidence of such results as might be arrived at, to be presented
to the reader on an enlarged and easily legible form, and in a
trustworthy shape. Those that are put forward in the following
pages, admit of considerable extension and improvement, and it
is only the fact that an account of them seems useful, which
causes me to delay no further before submitting what has thus
far been attained, to the criticism of others.” 8

9. Applications of Anthropometry
Identification of repeated criminals
 Cesare Lombroso's Criminal Anthropology (1895):
“murderers have prominent jaws and pickpockets have
long hands and scanty beards”.
 Eugene Vidocq: identification of criminals by facial
characteristics
Prevention of impersonation
Differentiation between the races
 Eugenics in Europe
Aryans from Jews: The Bureau for Enlightenment on Population Policy
and Racial Welfare recommended the classification of Aryans and non-
Aryans on the basis of measurements of the skull and other physical
features, “craniometric” certification, required by law. The
consequences for not meeting requirements included denial of
permission to marry or work, and for many it meant the death camps
Intelligence tests became associated with Anthropometry
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10. Anthropometry
Technique of measuring people
Measure
Index Reference
Indicator
Information
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11. Body Identification using
Anthropometry
Bertillon used 5 basic measurements:
 head length
 head breadth
 length of middle finger
 Length of left foot
 length from the elbow to the extremity of the middle finger
Today that list is more extensive:
 Gender
 Height
 Weight
 Age
 Bicep circumference, buttock depth, chest breadth, elbow
circumference, eye height, forearm to hand, ear breadth, head
circumference, head length, hip breadth sitting, hip breadth standing,
sitting height, waist depth, wrist breadth, wrist circumference to name
a few…there are currently 107 measurements
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12. Measurements
Weight
Height
Length and stature or height
Mid Upper Arm Circumference MUAC
Characteristics we need:
easy
cheap
acceptable
reproducible
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13. Measurements
Reference planes
Taken between solid identifiable bony
landmarks in standard anatomical
positions
 Anthropometric measuring kits
 3-D body scanning (esp. for functional
anthropometry)
 Motion capture systems
Develop regression models with statistical
relationships 13

14. Measurement Techniques
1-Classical
or Linear Measurement
Deals with simple dimensions
of the stationary human being
(weight, stature & lengths,
breadths, depths &
circumferences of particular
body structures).
• Measurements of height,
breadth, depth, distance
curvature, circumference and
reach
• Grid, anthropometer,
calipers, measuring tape, scale
• Simple but time consuming
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15. Measurement Techniques
2. New
Photographs (2D)
Computer Modeling-
stick person
 Co-ordinate
Locations
MRI (3D)
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16. What is the concept of percentile?
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17. Design Principles
Extreme
Adjustable
Average
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18. WEIGHT
Sensitive to changes
Changes in two directions up and down
Fast change
Usually easy to collect
Standardisation of scales needed, calibration
Small changes are difficult to measure: food
intake of the child, urine, dehydration, temp,
etc: not very specific
community aversion: connotations
can be difficult: co-operation of children
to nearest 100 gr.
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23. Height
Difficult to measure, accuracy, large
variations
Differences are small: 24 cm increment in the
first year of life, 11 cm second year, 8 third
Low sensitivity
Large measurement errors
Stunted versus stunting
 stunted is a heterogeneous group
 stunting is the active process: determinants are
acting
Measure to the nearest mm
Below 2 recumbent, above standing
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27. Anthropometric Measuring Tools
Anthropometer
Tape
Medical scale
Sliding Calipers: large
and small
Spreading Caliper 27

28. Anthropometric Measuring
Techniques
Weight
Stature
Posture:
 Standing
 Frankfort
 Sitting
Arm Span
Head Length
Head Breadth
Ear-to-Head Height
Nasal Length
Nasal Breadth
Skeletal Index = Sitting Height x 100/Stature
Cephalic Index = Head Breadth x 100/Head Length
Nasal Index = Nasal Breadth x 100/Nasal Length
Span/Stature Index = Arm Span x 100/ Stature
Cranial Capacity 28

29. Anthropometric Measuring
Techniques
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30. Basic Chart of What is
Measured
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31. Basic Areas of Where
to Measure
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32. Reference Planes
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33. Anatomical Landmarks
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34. Measurement Postures
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36. Anthropometry Today
Biometrics
Nutrition and wellness
 Weight Training
Ergonomics
 dynamic anthropometry: Measurements taken on and
around the figure when it is in any position other than
the fixed ones.
 Everyday life
Evolutionary Significance
 Changes in humans overtime
Monitor growth in children
 Cranial Anthropometry 36

37. Functional(Dynamic) Anthropometry
“Deals with compound
measurements of the
moving human being.”
Work space Envelope: Is
the three dimensional
apace within which an
individual works,
especially with his hands.
Squat Height
Crawling length
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38. Functional(Dynamic) Anthropometry
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39. Biometrics in Use
Heathrow Airport- Iris
BenGurion Airport: FacePass: Face
Hand Geometry Verification
Grocery Store Payment:
Fingerprint US- Visit Program
INSPASS: Hand
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Geometry

40. Cranial Anthropometry
Also known as Craniometry
measurement of the skull and face
3 ways to categorize the skull
 dolichocephalic: long and thin
 brachycephalic: short and broad
 mesocephalic: intermediate length and
breadth
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41. 3- D Anthropometry
3D anthropometry, the measure of humans, can be greatly aided by the
use of accurate digital humans. We'll take a look at how to create these
types of accurate digital humans and how they can be used for the
measurement of entire populations
Programs:
 Cyberware
DigiSize
CySlice
Ear Impression 3-D Scanner
 SizeUSA: 3D measurement system, a body scanner feeding data
into measurement extraction software.
 CAESAR: generate a database of human physical dimensions for
men and women of various weights, between the ages of 18 and 65
 Virtual Models: virtually try on clothes, makeup etc.
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45. Use of Anthropometry
Individual Level
SCREENING: ONE TIME ASSESSMENT
to immediately decrease case fatality (emergency
situations)
in non-emergency situations
GROWTH MONITORING: TREND ASSESSMENT
Population Level
ONE TIME ASSESSMENT
under circumstances of food crisis
for long-term planning
NUTRITIONAL SURVEILLANCE: TREND ASSESSMENT
for long-term planning
for timely warning
for programme management 45

46. Sources of Anthropometric Variability
1. Interindividual Variation
Resulting for DNA (Genotype/Phenotype)
Environment
 Altitude, temperature, sunlight, soil type
Nutrition
Ethnicity/Race
2. Intraindividual Variation
Aging
 Growing years – increase in stature, weight, and other
dimensions
 Early adulthood – dimensions remain somewhat stable
 Later years – decrease in height, increase in circumference
and external diameters of bones
Daily stature variation
 Age, health, strength
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47. The Story of Lacy and
Andrew
Does one size fit all?
Lacy is 4’ 10” (147 cm)
Andrew is 6’ 10” (208 cm)
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54. Love conquers all – even
anthropometry!
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55. Questions?
This concludes the study of
Anthropometry. Thank you
for your time!
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