An Autopsy based Study for Estimation of Stature from Anthropometry of Combined Length of Forearm and Hand in Female Population of Indore Region (M.P.)

Abstract

Identifying unknown individuals is a key part of the forensic anthropology. Anthropologists assist in identifications primarily by constructing a biological profile. The most important applications of anthropology at field level include biological anthropology, epidemiology, clinical application and in metabolic research. [1, 2] The stature prediction occupies relatively a central position both in the anthropological research and in the identification necessitated by the medical jurisprudence or by the medico-legal experts. So it is important for medico-legal as well as humanitarian reasons. The present study will be conducted to find out possible correlation between stature of an individual & combined length of forearm & hand and derive regression formula to estimate the stature from anthropometry of combined length of forearm & hand. This crosssectional study was carried out on 250 deceased Females of age 21 years and above brought for post mortem examination in mortuary of Forensic Medicine Department, M.G.M. Medical College and M.Y. Hospital, Indore (M.P.). The mean combined length of right and left forearm and hand in Females was 42.99 ± 1.70 cm and 42.82 ± 1.70 cm respectively, whereas mean stature was found to be 156.25 ± 5.29 cm in Females.. In this study maximum stature in Females was found to be 167.3 cm, while minimum stature was found to be 145.0 cm. It can be concluded that the present study has provided regression equations for parameters that can be used for stature estimation in the population of Indore. These equations should not be used for other Indian population groups. Definite proportion exists between the stature and combined length of forearm and hand in all individuals