An Estimation of Stature and Sex using Various Anthropometric Parameters in South Indian Population

Abstract

Estimation of stature and sex is very important to identify the unidentified human remains to solve the crime or in the case of mass destruction. The stature can be estimated using various regression formulas and it differs depending on the population and the regions. To predict stature and sex from various anthropometric parameters in south Indian population. One hundred adults (living individuals) belonging to the age group of 20–80 years were included in the study. A total of 22 anthropometric parameters were measured for the study. Using the regression formula, the stature is been estimated. Statistical analysis of all the parameters was done. Correlation coefficient test was done to correlate all the parameters with stature and sex. Based on the coefficient correlation result, it was found that for stature estimation leg length followed by thigh length is the best and ear length (EL) is the worst in females. In males for stature estimation, forearm length (FL) is the best and nose width (NW) is the worst. In estimating sex height, weight, foot length and width, hand length and width, arm and FL, inter-acromial distance, cranial height and width, face length and width, NW and nasal height and EL were found to be significant. Results of this study will be useful for forensic anthropologist for estimating stature and sex. The regression equations obtained in this study are population specific and they can be used for estimating stature in the south Indian population.