Estimation of Stature using Upper Limb Dimensions among the Adolescent Population of Kolkata: An Analytical Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Apart from age, sex and racial affiliation, the estimation of stature from human extremities is an important step in developing a biological profile for identifying an unknown individual, especially when the body found is either dismembered, mutilated, or disfigured. Aim: To estimate the stature from upper arm dimensions such as arm span, Hand Length (HL) and Hand Breadth (HB) in the adolescent age group of the West Bengal population. Materials and Methods: The present analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at a school in Kolkata from January 2023 to March 2023, involving 120 adolescent school-going boys aged 10-16 years. The arm span, HL and HB of both right and left hands were measured using standard anthropometric procedures. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between stature and various upper limb dimensions. The significance of differences was tested using an independent t-test. Results: The mean age of the study population was 12.05 years. The mean of arm span was 145.83 cm and, mean of HB (right and left sides) and; HL (right and left sides) were 7.52953 cm and 7.52955 cm; 16.13221 cm and 16.13218 cm, respectively. Univariate linear regression analysis showed that all variables, including arm span, HB and HL were significant predictors of stature (p-value<0.01). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that arm span (R2=89.81%) and HL (R2=75.69%) had the highest prediction accuracy for stature. Conclusion: All variables (arm span, HL and HB) were found to be statistically significant predictors of stature, with arm span and HL having the highest prediction accuracy. These measurements of upper limbs and regression equations can be used for the identification of unknown human remains, particularly in cases of dismembered bodies.