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Abstract

Estimation of stature for the identification of an individual has got importance in forensic science. In this study, an attempt will be made to estimate the stature from length of radius. Study subject consists of 50 adult males and 50 adult females between the age group of 18–30 years, born in Central India. Simple regression formula was derived showing the correlation between length of radius and stature of an individual.

Keywords

Stature radius bone length and regression equation

Introduction

Identification of an individual by estimation of stature has utmost significance from the medico-legal aspect. Stature is defined as height of body in upright position and is considered as one of the important parameters for personal identity.¹ Karl Pearson developed first stature regression formula² and thereafter Trotter and Glesser produced series of regression formulae to reconstruct the stature of an individual from the length of a long bone.^3–4 Stature is variable with age, sex, ethnicity, etc.^5–6 Extensive work carried out on correlation of bone length with stature of a person in India and abroad^7–9 concluded that there is a linear relationship between the measurements and stature. Telkka in his study opined that all racial group needed a separate formula for estimation of stature.¹⁰ So, this study was done to derive regression formula for the estimation of stature from the length of radius in Central India.

Aims and Objectives

The aim of this study was to correlate percutaneous length of right and left radius with the body height and thus estimate stature by deriving regression formula.

Material and Methods

Standing height and percutaneous length of radius of 100 apparently healthy individuals comprising of 50 adult males and 50 adult females of age range from 18 to 30 years in Peoples College of Medical Sciences & Research Center (PCMS & RC), Bhopal, were taken for the establishment of regression formulae. Approval from Ethical and Research committee was taken with number PCMS/OD/1084. Written informed consent was taken from all the subjects. Standing height of the individual will be measured by asking them to stand on the baseboard of a standard metric height measuring stand with head oriented in eye-to-eye plateau; that is, the Frankfurt plane was horizontal. The measurement of height will be taken in centimeters by bringing the projecting horizontal sliding bar to the vertex. Percutaneous radius length will be measured in centimeters (cm) with the help of spreading calipers, by measuring the distance between the most prominent palpable part of head of radius and tip of styloid process with flexed elbow and palm placed over opposite shoulder. The data will be then subjected statistical analysis using computer software SPSS 19.

Observations

Tables 1 and 2 show the various parameters which were calculated by statistical analysis. The mean height of the study subjects was found to be 166 cm with standard deviation (SD) of 10.05 cm. Average length of right radius was 24.17 cm with SD of 1.32 cm, whereas average length of left radius was 23.90 cm with SD of 1.26 cm. Regression analysis was done for estimating individual’s height from the length of radius. The correlation coefficient (r) of right and left radius was 0.756 and 0.72, respectively, which shows the positive correlation between length of radius and estimated height.

After statistical analysis, stature can be estimated by using linear regression formula derived for the estimation of height from length of right or left radius. The regression formula derived is

Y₁ = 74.00 + 3.662X₁ and

Y₂ = 83.28 + 3.390X_2.

Where, Y₁ and Y₂ are estimated heights from length of right and left radius.

X₁ and X ₂ are length of right and left radius respectively.

Table 1.

Height and Length of Radius.

Sl. No.	Variables (cm)	Average	Standard Deviation	Summation	Summation of Square	Summation of Product XY	Co-efficient of Variation
1	Height (y)	166	10.05	16600	2755600		6.054
2	Right radius—X₁	24.170	1.32	2417	58418.89	401222	5.461
3	Left radius—X₂	23.900	1.26	2390	57121	396740	5.272

Table 2.

Regression Formula Derivation for Calculating Stature from Length of Radius.

Independent Variable	Length of Right Radius in cm (X₁)	Length of Left Radius in cm (X₂)
Intercept (a)	74.00	83.28
Regression coefficient (b)	3.662	3.390
Correlation coefficient (r)	0.756	0.72
Coefficient of determination (r²)	0.572	0.518
Standard error of estimate	8.21	7.65

Discussion

The estimation of stature is of utmost importance for forensic experts in identification during medico-legal examination during ghastly disasters. This study was done to estimate the stature from percutaneous length of radius on living subjects belonging to Central India. A simple regression formula was derived which can be implicated for estimating stature thus showing a positive relationship between the stature and length of radius. Similar strong relations were also observed by Pal and Datta¹¹ in their study of Indian Bengalis, Mike et al.¹² study in Nigeria, and Babu and Mahesh¹³ in their study in South India population.

Conclusion

There exists a positive correlation between stature and length of radius. Regression formula derived can be used in Central India for estimating stature. However, a better accuracy in estimating stature can be arrived by using a combination of bone lengths rather than using a single bone.^14–17

Footnotes

Declaration of Conflict of Interests

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Ethical Approval

Approval from Ethical and Research committee was taken with number PCMS/OD/1084.

Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Informed Consent

Written informed consent was taken from all the subjects.

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Stature Estimation from Radius