Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine
  • Year: 2018
  • Volume: 40
  • Issue: 1

Estimation of Stature from the Length of the Sternum: An Autopsy Based Study

  • Author:
  • Sri Jith1,, Jaffar AP Hussain2, Virendra Kumar3, Santhosh Chandrappa Siddapa4, Sujan Kumar Mohanty5
  • Total Page Count: 5
  • Page Number: 80 to 84

1Assistant Professor, Dept of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education & Research, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

2Assistant Professor, Dept of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education & Research, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

3Professor & Head, Dept of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education & Research, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

4Professor & Head, Dept of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, JJM Medical College, Davangere, Karnataka

5Associate Professor, Dept of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education & Research, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

*EMail ID: srijithfun@gmail.com.

Online published on 24 July, 2018.

Abstract

Stature is an important parameter that aids in establishing the identity of an individual from skeletal remains. The aim of the present study was to derive a linear regression formula for estimating stature from the length of the sternum.

The material for the present study consisted of 120 intact sterna, 65 male and 55 female, between 25 years and 60 years of age, obtained during medico legal autopsies.

A linear regression formula for both sexes was derived, Stature =117.091+ (3.41 x sternal length) for males and Stature =115.059+ (3.27 x sternal length) for females. Standard error of estimate was 5.97cm in males and 5.26cm in females.

The study concluded that the length of the sternum is a reliable predictor of stature and can be used as a tool for estimation of stature when better predictors of stature are not available.

Keywords

Correlation Coefficient, Identification, Regression Equation, Stature, Sternum