ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 5

Confidence Intervals for Estimates Based on Linear Regression in Forensic Anthropology
Giles, E
Professor, Department of Anthropology, and associate professor, Departments of Anthropology and of Cell and Structural Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL

Klepinger, LL
Professor, Department of Anthropology, and associate professor, Departments of Anthropology and of Cell and Structural Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL

(Received 14 September 1987; accepted 6 January 1988)

Abstract

Forensic anthropologists commonly use simple linear regression to estimate the value of a dependent variable, such as stature, for a single specimen where the value of the independent variable, such as humerus length, is known. Published studies providing regression equations for such use almost invariably include the standard error of estimate. Unfortunately, it is exceptional for forensic anthropologists to use the standard error to calculate correctly the confidence limits for their single predicted value. We attempt to show why this may be and provide explicit guidelines for the proper construction of confidence intervals in such circumstances.

Keywords:
physical anthropology, human identification, statistical analyses, linear regression, standard error of estimate, stature

Paper ID: JFS12555J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12555J
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