Do the measurements of head, face, and sternum predict body height in forensic anthropological cases?

Year 2018, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 49 - 56, 31.12.2018

İzzet Duyar , Can Pelin Derya Atamtürk

Abstract

Sex, age, and body height are of fundamental importance in the
identification of individuals in medicolegal investigations. Body
height can be calculated more accurately from the measurements
of main long bones of upper and lower limbs. In case of a lack of
limb segments or the long bones of the extremities, the
dimensions of the head, face, and sternum are thought to be
good predictors for living stature. In the present study, the
correlation between the measurements of the head, face and
sternum and body height was examined and univariate and
multivariate regression equations were developed. Anthropometric measurements were taken on 108 healthy male subjects
with a mean age of 22.4 years (SD = 3.35 years). Equations were
constructed based on the measurements taken from the study
group (Group I, n = 54) and tested on a cross validation group
(Group II, n = 54). The univariate analyses revealed that the
measurements studied could not be used for estimating body
height. With multivariate equations considered, the best
predictors for stature are sternum length and total face height.
Therefore, it is concluded that the only way to estimate stature
reliably are the latter two variables combined when the cranium
and sternum were brought for medicolegal examinations.

Keywords

Forensic anthropology, stature estimation, anthropometry, head, face, sternum

References

• Agnihotri AK, Kachhwaha S, Googoolye K, Allock A. (2011) Estimation of stature from cephalo-facial dimensions by regression analysis in Indo-Mauritian population. J Forensic Leg Med 18:167-172.