Stature Estimation by Index and Ring Finger Length

Abstract

Background: A series of systemized techniques of measuring quantitatively the dimensions of human body and skeleton is called as Anthropometry and it is often viewed as traditionally the basic tool for biological anthropology and it has a long traditional use in forensic sciences and its findings has increased its use in medical sciences specifically in speciality of Forensic Medicine. Aim and objective: To find out correlation between Index and Ring finger length with stature of the individual and to devise a linear regression equation to determine stature from Index and Ring finger length. Type of Study: Descriptive cross sectional study with analytical and comparative components. Place of Study: Department of forensic medicine and Toxicology Narayana Medical College, Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh State. Material and Method: Stature: using the stadio-meter, the subject was made to stand barefoot in the standard standing position on its baseboard. The length of the Index and ring fingers was measured fromproximal crease to the tip. Observation and Discussion: The Mean±SD age of study samples was 21.41 ± 2.1years. There was no significant difference between themean age of the two genders (P>0.001). Accordingly the Mean±SD height was 164.62 ± 8.56cm intotal cases, 168.12 ± 7.6 cm in males, and 161.1 ± 8.01cm in females, which differed significantly (P<0.0001).The Mean±SD lengths of index and ring fingers were6.55 ± 0.48 cm and 6.6 ± 0.51 cm in total samples,6.72 ± 0.52 cm and 6.78 ± 0.55 cm in males, and6.37 ± 0.37 cm and 6.42 ± 0.38 cm in females, respectively. Conclusion: In our study there exists a significant and positive correlation between stature and Index and ring finger length between both the sexes indicating strong and reliable relationship between the parameters.