Stature estimation from hand anthropometric measurements in Bangladeshi population

• Published in: Journal of forensic and legal medicine Vol. 65; pp. 86 - 91
• Main Authors: Asadujjaman, Md, Ali Molla, Md. Babor, Al Noman, Sk. Nahid
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2019
• Subjects: Forensic anthropometry; Forensic identification; Hand anthropometry; Pathology; Stature estimation; Forensic anthropometry; Stature estimation; Forensic identification; Hand anthropometry
• ISSN: 1752-928X; 1878-7487; 1878-7487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2019.05.006

The aim of this research was to generate a standard formula for estimating stature in the Bangladeshi population from hand anthropometric measurements. Arbitrarily selected a total of 150 male and 150 female healthy subjects within the age range 18–60 years participated in this study. Stature and nine hand parameters were taken using a standard tape and a digital slide calipers for each subject. The results indicate that in male Bangladeshi population, the bilateral variation of hand length, hand breadth, maximum hand breadth, palm length, thumb length, ring finger length, and little finger length was statistically not significant (p > 0.05). On the other hand, in female, bilateral difference of hand length, hand breadth, palm length, index finger length, middle finger length, ring finger length, and little finger length was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). All hand dimensions were statistically significant (p < 0.001) and positively correlated with stature. Linear and multiple regression equation were used to estimate stature from hand anthropometric measurements. The accuracy of the determination of stature using hand dimensions ranged from ±3.688 to ±6.112 cm. Right-hand length was the most reliable single variable in both sexes in simple linear regression (SSE ±5.347 cm in male and ±3.688 cm in female). The multiple regression models were more reliable than the linear regression models as a lower SSE and higher R and R-square values. In conclusion, our present study has a great importance to estimate stature from hand measurements among Bangladeshis from the anatomical and forensic point of view. •Formulae to estimate the stature of Bangladeshis by hand measurements are derived.•The stature estimation from hand anthropometric measurements is possible and reliable.•Multiple regression models are more reliable than simple linear regression models.•The findings of this present study are significant from the forensic, legal and anatomical point of view.