Questions: Suppose a crime scene investigator uncovers a partial skeleton and identifies a bone as a human ulna (the ulna is one of two bones in the forearm and extends from elbow to wrist). If the length of the bone is 12 in ., estimate the height of the person before death (use your equation from question 7). (Show your work!) Would you expect this person to be male or female? Explain the reason for your conclusion.

To estimate the height of the person based on the length of the ulna, we need to use a specific equation that relates the length of the ulna to the height of an individual. Since the equation from question 7 is not provided, I will use a commonly accepted formula for this purpose.

For males, the height (H) can be estimated using the following formula: \[ H = 3.7 \times \text{ulna length (in inches)} + 28.7 \]

For females, the height (H) can be estimated using the following formula: \[ H = 4.27 \times \text{ulna length (in inches)} + 21.8 \]

Given that the length of the ulna is 12 inches, we can calculate the estimated height for both males and females.

\[ H = 3.7 \times 12 + 28.7 \] \[ H = 44.4 + 28.7 \] \[ H = 73.1 \text{ inches} \]

\[ H = 4.27 \times 12 + 21.8 \] \[ H = 51.24 + 21.8 \] \[ H = 73.04 \text{ inches} \]

The estimated height of the person is approximately 73.1 inches (or about 6 feet 1 inch) if male, and 73.04 inches (or about 6 feet 1 inch) if female.

Given that the estimated heights for both males and females are very close, it is difficult to definitively conclude the gender based solely on the ulna length and the height estimation. However, statistically, a height of around 6 feet 1 inch is more commonly associated with males than females. Therefore, it might be slightly more likely that the person was male, but this is not a definitive conclusion and should be corroborated with additional evidence.