Investigating the Reliability and Validity of the Portable Osteometric Device

• Published in: Advances in archaeological practice : a journal of the Society of American archeaology 2024-05, Vol.12 (2), p.133-142
• Main Authors: Anderson, Eric, Malis, Sierra W., Osterholtz, Anna J., Zuckerman, Molly K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 19th century; Accuracy; Anthropology; Data collection; Design; Forensic anthropology; Physical anthropology; Validity
• ISSN: 2326-3768; 2326-3768
• DOI: 10.1017/aap.2023.33

Metric analysis of skeletal material is integral to the analysis and identification of human remains, though one commonly used measuring device, the osteometric board, has lagged in recent advancement. Traditional boards are bulky and require manual measurement recording, potentially generating intra- and interobserver error. To address these limitations, we tested the reliability, validity, and error rates of a novel device, the Portable Osteometric Device Version 1 (PODv1), which measures distance using laser sensors with time-of-flight technology. Forty-five volunteers measured four skeletal elements with the PODv1 and a PaleoTech osteometric board in three rounds. Comparison of tibia, humerus, and femur measurements with both devices showed no significant differences, although the maximum length of the ulna did differ, potentially because of observer confusion regarding the PODv1's user instructions for this element. Our results suggest that the PODv1 is a reliable, valid measurement device compared to traditional osteometric boards. Although both device types can produce calibration, transcription, and observer errors, the time-of-flight technology and the absence of manual recording built into the PODv1 may limit those errors. These advancements and their potential positive impacts on the accuracy of osteometric data collection may have far-reaching benefits for osteological, bioarchaeological, paleopathological, and forensic anthropological data collection. El análisis métrico del material esquelético es integral para el análisis e identificación de restos humanos, aunque uno de los dispositivos de medición más comúnmente utilizados, la tabla osteométrica, ha quedado rezagada en los avances recientes. Las tablas tradicionales son voluminosas y requieren la medición manual, lo que puede generar errores intra e inter-observador. Para abordar estas limitaciones, probamos la confiabilidad, validez y tasas de error de un nuevo dispositivo, el Dispositivo Osteométrico Portátil Versión 1 (PODv1), que mide la distancia utilizando sensores láser con tecnología de tiempo de vuelo. Cuarenta y cinco voluntarios midieron cuatro elementos esqueléticos con el PODv1 y una tabla osteométrica PaleoTech en tres rondas. La comparación de las medidas de la tibia, el húmero y el fémur con ambos dispositivos no mostró diferencias significativas, aunque la longitud máxima de la ulna difirió entre ellos, posiblemente debido a la confusión del observador en torno a las instr