Stature Estimation from Arm and Hand Anthropometric Measurements in North Indian Population

The current study aims to generate a standard formula for estimating stature in the North Indian population from various anthropometric measurements of hands and arms. A total of 508 healthy female subjects were randomly selected, falling in the age range of 20 years to 45 years for this study. Stature, along with three hand and three arm parameters, was taken using a standard anthropometer and sliding caliper for each subject. The results indicate that the bilateral difference in hand length, hand breadth, palm length, forearm length, upper arm length, and total arm length was statistically significant (p > 0.05). All hand and arm dimensions are statistically significant (p < 0.001) and positively correlated with stature. Linear and multiple regression equations were used to estimate stature from hand and arm anthropometric measurements. The accuracy of determining stature using hand dimensions ranged from 0.414 to 0.794. Total arm length was found to be the most reliable variable in simple linear regression. The multiple regression models were more reliable than the linear regression models, as they had a lower SEE and higher R and R-square values. In conclusion, the findings of the present study appear to be highly important for estimating stature from hand and arm measurements among Indians from the anthropological, anatomical, and forensic points of view.