Anthropometry

An Introduction

What is Anthropometry?

What is Anthropometry?
Greek
o Anthro : man

What is Anthropometry?
Greek
o Anthro : man
o pometry: measurements

What is Anthropometry?
Greek
o Anthro : man
o pometry: measurements
o Literal meaning: measurement of humans

The study of measurements or

proportions of the human body.
bones, muscles, and tissues .

Dimensions of

Anthropometry Today

Anthropometry Today
Biometrics

Biometrics
The identification of a person based on his/her
physiological characteristics.
Used in law enforcement, safety engineering,
forensic science.

Stretch of the Measuring

Body Identification

In 1883, five measurements were used when booking criminals:

head length, head breadth, length of middle finger, length of left foot,
and length from the elbow to the extremity of the middle finger.
Today, there are over 107 different measurements that can be taken
on the human body.

Anthropometric Measuring Tools

Tape

Goniometer

Medical scale
Spreading Caliper

Sliding Calipers: large

and small

Anthropometer

Basic Anthropometric Measuring

Examples

Biometrics in Use
BenGurion Airport:
Hand Geometry

INSPASS: Hand
Geometry

FacePass: Face
Verification

Heathrow Airport- Iris

US- Visit Program

Grocery Store Payment:
Fingerprint

Cranial Anthropometry
Also known as Craniometry

measurement of the skull and face

3 ways to categorize the skull

o dolichocephalic: long and thin

o brachycephalic: short and broad
o mesocephalic: intermediate length and breadth

Different
measurements of
the head.

Biometrics Applications

Maximus

Max

Eric

Rory

Biometrics Applications
Forensics: criminal identification and prison
security
Prevention of unauthorized access to ATMs,
cellular phones, smart cards, desktop PCs,
workstations, and computer networks
Automobiles: replace keys with key-less entry and
key-less ignition
Border control and national ID cards

Anthropometry Today
Wellness and Nutrition

1. Biometrics
Law enforcement, safety engineering, forensic science.

Basic Areas of Where

to Measure

Used by health organizations.

Nutrition and Wellness

Anthropometry Today
Ergonomics

1. Biometrics
Law enforcement, safety engineering, forensic science.
2. Wellness and Nutrition
Health organizations.

Ergonomics
a science that deals with designing and arranging
things so that people can use them easily and
safely.
Used by engineers and architects.

The Story of Lacy and Andrew

Does one size fit all?
Lacy is 4 10 (147 cm)
Andrew is 6 10 (208 cm)

Design Problem
Design the vertical adjustment range for a
horizontal standing work surface that will
accommodate knuckle height to elbow height for
95% of US Adult males and females.

Anthropometry Today
Anthropology
1. Biometrics
Law enforcement, safety engineering, forensic science.
2. Wellness and Nutrition
3. Ergonomics

Health organizations.
Engineers, architects.

Social Anthropometry
Anthropologist studies the cultures of people.
Archaeologist studies human history through artifacts.

Changes in Humans over Time

Anthropometry Unit
Biometrics
Math - measurements of bones.
Nutrition and Wellness
Global Studies malnutrition in sub-Saharan
Africa.
Ergonomics
Science designs for todays needs.
Anthropology
Literature Nigerian tribes understanding of
Shakespeare.

Anthropometry and You?

Next Week

Monday through Wednesday - learn about