Estimation of stature from hand dimensions in North Saudi population, medicolegal view

Abstract

Introduction: Estimation of individual's stature is an important parameter in the field of forensic anthropology. There is a scarcity of literature on the estimation of stature from hand dimensions among Saudi populations. Aim: To setup standard formulae to estimate stature from hand dimensions in Saudi population. Subjects and Methods: Three hundred and fifty participants in 20–30 years' age group were incorporated into a cross-sectional study. The research population included 150 males and 150 females as a study group, and 50 participants as a control group to test the accuracy of the formulae. Nine measurements of different hand dimensions (hand length, palm length, handbreadth, maximum handbreadth, and five phalanges lengths) and statures were taken. The simple linear regression equations and multiple linear regression equations with the explanatory variables were suggested as a statistical model to clarify the total variation in stature. Results: Statistical analysis indicated that the bilateral variations were insignificant for all the measurements (P > 0.05). The correlation between the stature and different parameters studied in males and females were found to be positive and statistically highly significant (P