![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Craniometry_skull_1902.jpg/250px-Craniometry_skull_1902.jpg)
Craniometry, the technique of measuring the bones of the skull, was once intensively practiced in anthropology/ethnology. Through the 20th century, craniometry—especially measurements of brain volume—was a matter of considerable; among other misuses, the apparent scientific support of craniometric theories for racism was used to the support the racist ideologies, and ultimately genocidal policies, of the Nazi party.