English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Height is the major parameter of personal identification. In any kind of mishap, forensic scientists require to estimate stature from body part(s). Confidence intervals or confidence limits provide basis for such identification. OBJECTIVE: To determine 95% confidence intervals for mean heights on the basis of body segment. MATERIAL & METHODS: The study consisted of 100 males and 100 females. Their stature and hand length, hand breadth, foot length & foot breadth on the right and left side was recorded. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to know the body segment(s) identifying gender. 95% confidence intervals of mean height for identified body segment were determined. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis revealed Right Hand Width and Right Foot Length could determine correct gender. Thus 95% confidence intervals for mean heights for each observed value of Right Hand Width and Right Foot Length of male and female were generated. Validity revealed that 75% and 40% heights lie in 95% confidence interval according to Right Hand Width while 100% and 67% lie in 95% confidence interval according to Right Foot Length of males and females, respectively. CONCLUSION: 95% confidence intervals provide the range of height within which the individual may have his/her height instead of single value. This gives good approximation to actual value (height).