Reliability of inter-anterior superior iliac spinous distance as compared to foot length for stature estimation in South Indians

Abstract

Estimation of stature from isolated body parts is especially important to forensic scientists and anthropologists. The aims of this study were, to evaluate the accuracy of inter-anterior superior iliac spinous distance in determining stature of an individual as compared to foot length, and to note sex differences in the above mentioned parameters. One hundred normal healthy adult subjects from South India consisting of 50 males and 50 females were studied. The height, interspinous distance, and foot length of the subjects were measured. The mean and standard deviation of the height, interspinous distance, foot length and proportions of interspinous distance and foot length to height were calculated and significance testing done for sex differences. The correlation between stature and interspinous distance and stature and foot length was estimated, and linear regression equations for stature estimation were calculated. The height, interspinous distance and foot length were significantly greater in males. The proportion of interspinous distance to stature was significantly greater in females. Foot length showed a stronger positive correlation with stature compared to interspinous distance. When the sexes were considered separately the accuracy of stature estimation from interspinous distance increased greatly. Though interspinous distance is not as reliable as foot length in stature estimation, it could provide valuable data regarding the stature when isolated pelvises are available.