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

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

1. 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.