Stature Estimation from Hand Dimensions in Bekwarra Ethnic Group of Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

In establishing the individuality of a person when fragmentary and dismembered of unknown human remains, is a first step in identifying the peculiarity of individual. It is a useful tool in medico legal and forensic examination. Our aim is to find out correlation between stature and hand dimensions, and to derive a regression formula to predict the height of an individual using hand dimensions in Bekwarra indigenes of Cross River State between 18-43years. Stature of 1028 healthy subjects, 412 Males and 616 females, in the age group 18-43 years were included. Gender differences for the two parameters were determined using Student t-test. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was used to examine the relationship between two anthropometric parameters and standing height (stature). The findings of the study indicate that the males mean values are significantly difference in all measured parameters. The males mean values (169.1±6.37) for stature are significantly higher (p<0.05) than the females (162.3±12.16) and the hand dimensions; hand length (males-18.51±1.15 and females-17.78±1.13) and hand breadth (males-8.83±0.65 and females-8.60±5.33), were found significantly higher (p<0.05) in males than females. Regression equations; 12.05í—HL+54.00 (male hand length) and 37.34í—HL+ (501.8 (female hand length) and 22.68í—HB+31.19 (male hand breadth) and 74.76í—HB+ (-481.1) (female hand breath) for stature estimation were formulated for the males and females. There is strong correlation between stature (p<0.05) and hand dimensions. The hand length provides accurate and reliable means in establishing the height of an individual. This study will be useful for forensic scientists and anthropologists as well as anatomists in ascertain medico-legal cases.