FORDISC can estimate the sex, ancestry, and stature of a given skeleton via linear discriminant analysis of standard anthropometric measurements.
However, the results acquired from such remains may be skewed, as FORDISC is primarily designed for modern populations, which may differ in some factors from historic ones.
[2] The use of discriminant function analysis in FORDISC allows the user to sort individuals into specific groups that are defined by certain criteria.
Howell's craniometric data set consist of 2500 crania from 28 different populations around the world dating to the later Holocene, in which around 82 cranial measurements were obtained.
Another limitation that the authors believe researchers should take into account is the fact that this program is based on measurements that are affected by "disease, disuse, treatment, or trauma."
"[8] In 2012 research presented at the 81st Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists concluded that FORDISC ancestry determination was not always consistent, that the program does not perform to expectations and that it should be used with caution.