Researchers in Chile Explore How Foot Bones Could Help Identify Human Remains

Researchers in Chile have investigated whether small bones in the human foot could help forensic anthropologists estimate biological sex when more commonly examined skeletal remains are missing or damaged.

The study, published in Scientific Reports on October 31, 2026, examines sexual dimorphism in the cuneiform bones using a modern Chilean osteological collection. The research was conducted by Isabela Álvarez, Esteban Arroyo, and Eduardo Saldías.

Identifying unknown human remains often begins with developing a biological profile, including estimates of age, biological sex, stature, and population affinity. These characteristics help investigators narrow the search for a missing person's identity.

However, forensic anthropologists do not always recover complete skeletons. Remains may be fragmented, scattered, or affected by environmental conditions, leaving investigators without the pelvis or skull, which are commonly examined during sex estimation.

The new research focuses on three cuneiform bones located in the middle of the foot. These small bones contribute to the structure of the foot and may survive in circumstances where other skeletal elements are unavailable.

Researchers examined differences in skeletal measurements associated with biological sex to investigate whether these bones could provide useful information for human identification.

The study is particularly relevant to cases involving incomplete skeletal remains, where investigators must rely on less frequently examined bones.

Foot bones may also remain protected by footwear in certain recovery environments, potentially preserving anatomical information that would otherwise be lost.

However, skeletal measurements cannot independently establish a person's identity. Their usefulness depends on factors including population variation, preservation, measurement reliability, and the accuracy of the statistical methods used.

Methods developed using a Chilean skeletal collection would also require validation before being applied confidently to populations with different biological and demographic characteristics.

The research contributes to ongoing efforts to expand forensic identification methods beyond traditionally examined skeletal elements.

For investigators dealing with fragmented or incomplete remains, such approaches could eventually provide additional evidence to support identification alongside DNA analysis, dental records, and other established forensic methods.