1Reader & Head in-charge, Department of Forensic Medicine, Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu, India
2Professor & Head, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, ESIC Medical College & PGIMSR, KK Nagar, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
3Reader, Department of Community Medicine, Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu, India
*Corresponding author: K.S.M. Venkatachalam Reader, Department of Forensic Medicine, Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu. Email: venkatachalamksm@gmail.com
Online published on 8 February, 2019.
Estimation of stature from dismembered body parts assumes great significance and interest in the field of forensic medicine. Stature can be determined using the measurements of different body parts. Hand anthropometry is found to yield good predictive information about an individual's stature. The aim of the present study was to formulate regression equations from hand length for stature estimation of both sexes in Chennai region.
In this cross sectional study, 619 subjects of both sexes with age ranging from 18 to 59 years of Chennai region were studied for stature and its relevance with that of hand length. Simple regression equations were derived by using two parameters-right hand length (RHL) and left hand length (LHL)-for estimation of stature of an individual for either sex separately.
In the present study we found a significant (p<0.01) positive correlation between stature and hand length in both sexes. Stature estimation was relatively more accurate in males compared to females.
The present study gives statistically significant positive correlation between stature and hand length. Stature can be successfully and accurately determined in this regional population by applying these regression equations.
Stature, Hand length, Regression equations, Forensic anthropometry
