A Study On Stature Estimation From Hand And Foot Lengths In Adult Subjects Of Belgaum Region

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Stature is one among the numerous data for identification of an individual, hence occupies a unique position in medicolegal cases and in the anthropological research areas. Thus assessment of height from different parts of the body is an area of interest to anthropologists, anatomists and forensic experts. OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess hand length, foot length and stature. 2. To study the relationship between hand length, foot length and stature. METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional study was carried out on 100 males and 100 females belonging to the Belgaum region. The individuals of both the sexes aged between 18 years to 25 years were included in the study. The stature ( height ) , hand length and foot length of both the sides of the individuals were measured. The stature was measured as vertical distance from vertex to the floor in mid-sagittal plane with the help of stadiometer. The hand length and foot length were measured with the help of sliding calipers and spreading calipers respectively. ABSTRACT iii RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed the correlations between stature and various parameters studied in males and females and ,were found to be statistically significant. The highest correlation coefficient was obtained between right hand length and stature ( 0.753) and lowest for left foot length and stature ( 0.700 ) among males. Similarly, in females, the highest correlation coefficient was obtained between right hand length stature ( 0.661) and lowest for right foot length ( 0.529) . Linear and multiple regression equations for stature estimation were calculated separately for males and females. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that both hand length and foot length can be used to estimate stature in Belgaum region population. But the highest correlation coefficient between hand length and stature among males, females and in both genders ( total sample ) with lowest standard error of estimate, indicates that hand length provides highest reliability and accuracy in estimating stature in Belgaum region population.