Solution to the Romanov Problem

Questions:

1. Which skeleton(s) can be immediately ruled out as a possible parent of the other children?
2. Which pair of adults could be the parents of all three children?
3. Given that Anastasia was 5'4 3/4", do you think that her skeleton is among those found in the pit?
4. Assuming that the Tsar is taller than the Tsarina, how tall is the Tsar?
5. Using the mitochondrial DNA evidence from the handout (Adobe PDF Reader required), can you tell who is the tsar? Who is the tsarina? Which skeletons are the three maids and the doctor?

Answers:

1. 8 and 9
2. 4 and 7
3. No such skeleton exists in the pit
4. max 5.5 min 5.2
5. Tsar: 4, Tsarina yes #7