Estimation of Stature from Radiological Measurement of Sternal Length with Corroboration in Living Individuals A Study in Contemporary Bengali Adults

The role of Forensic anthropology to derive alternative and newer modes of identification is increasing every day. The simple and inexpensive means of measurement of radiological length of sternum from digital radiographs and its use to estimate stature in a contemporary Indian (Bengali) population is the aim of this study. By generation of linear regression equations for male and female from this data we propose to estimate the stature and compare the same from the stature available from measurement of the individuals. Thus we shall be able to predict the accuracy with which such projection from radiological assessment is applicable. In this study the standard error of estimate for the male model is 2.943 and correlation coefficient is 0.636. The r square for the model is 0.4. In this study the standard error of estimate for the female model is 2.230 and correlation coefficient is 0.843. R square =0.7.

The present investigation shows that estimation of stature by this method has its shortcomings in terms of accuracy and therefore be used only as an alternative for practical Forensic purpose.