ABSTRACT

Estimating stature from long extremity bones, such as femur, humerus, is commonly used during forensic examinations. The aim of this study is to estimate stature by anthropometric measurements of right and left-hands second (2D) and fourth digit (4D) lengths.

The sample group consisted of 140 young adults, 70 male and 70 females (aged 21-19 years), whose (2D) and (4D) lengths were measured (using digital vernier caliper) of their left and right hands. One measurement was taken directly from landmarks from the proximal metacarpophalangeal crease to the finger tips.

The program SPSS (Version 17.0) was used to make a descriptive analysis, Student’s t-test was used to analyze the difference in height (2D) and (4D) between males and females. One-way ANOVA was used to determine the potential interactions between anthropometric measurements within each other and stature. Pearson Correlation coefficient and related P values were also used. Statistical significance was assigned to p values <0.05. Linear and multiple regressions were also developed.

The differences between the right-and the left fingers length values were statistically significant for both sexes (p<0.001). In all, the measurements of (2D) and (4D) in males were significantly higher than females. The correlation coefficients between stature and the measurements of second and fourth digit were found to be positive and statistically significant. The highest correlation coefficient between stature and digit length for males regarded the right second digit (r=0.505), and for females, the left second digit (r=0.596). Regression equations were checked for accuracy by comparing the estimated stature and actual stature.

Both regression models can be used to estimate the stature from 2D and 4D finger lengths in both sexes.

Keywords: Digit Length, Anthropometry, Stature Estimation.