Estimation of Stature by Using Percutaneous Hand Length Amongst the Tamil Population

Abstract

Stature is one of the basic data used in the identification of an unknown person. It plays an important role especially when mutilated bodies, advanced stages of decomposition, or skeletal remains cases are concerned. The present study examines the estimation of the stature of a person by using his hand length. It is not always an easy task because the growth & development of an individual may be affected by various factors such as age, sex, race, nutrition & geographical areas, etc. So, we need to have a population-specific regression formula for the Tamil population. In the present study, we have included 200 medical students (100 male & 100 female) in the age range 17 to 21years. We excluded those students whose forefathers and parents are of non-Tamil origin. With the help of a vernier caliper, the hand lengths were measured and they were tabulated along with the corresponding heights of the person. Measurement values were expressed in terms of centimeters. All the measurements were conducted by using the same equipment during a reasonable time period of the day to minimize the measurement errors due to diurnal variation. By using these data, the regression formula for stature estimation of Tamil origin people was calculated. It was observed that the length of the hand provides a reliable means for estimating the stature of a person.