Correlation of Morphometric Parameters of Spleen and Height of the Deceased: A Cross-sectional Study in North Indian Population

Abstract

Introduction: Estimation of stature is a major forensic anthropological concern used in the identification of unknown and mutilated human remains. Studies considering spleen morphometric parameters to decipher the height of the deceased are very rare especially in Haryana though research studies involving correlation between height and other body organs have been done. Aim: To determine the correlation between the morphometric parameters of the spleen and height of the deceased. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy in collaboration with the Department of Forensic Medicine in Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India, from September 2010 to September 2012. The spleen specimens (30 male and 30 female) obtained from deceased adults in the age group of 16-70 years (both age inclusive) belonging to North India from the Department of Forensic Medicine during autopsy. The measurement of splenic parameters (weight, length, breadth, thickness and surface area) was done using direct measurement (standard methodology) accepted by anthropologists. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0. Pearson’s correlation test was used to evaluate the association between the splenic parameters and height. Correlation formula was derived to calculate the height from the splenic measurements. Results: Correlation of height was positive with splenic measurements (weight, length, breadth, thickness and total surface area) in both males and females and was significant with splenic weight (r-value=0.54 and p-value=0.02) and splenic length (r-value=0.548; p-value=0.002) in females. It was significant for splenic thickness in males (r-value=0.042; p-value=0.018) and significant for total surface area of spleen for both males and females (r-value=0.80 and p-value <0.00001 in males and r-value=0.58 and p-value=0.000781 in females). Conclusion: Correlation of height was significant for splenic weight and length in females; significant for splenic thickness in males and significant for total surface area of spleen for males and females. This study would help Anthropologists and Forensic Medicine Experts to calculate the height of the deceased using various regression equations if spleen is intact and is measured.