Forensic Anthropology Population DataStature estimation from foot dimensions☆
Introduction
Identification of an individual from dismembered, mutilated and fragmentary remains is a challenge to forensic experts; in such cases, complete identification becomes an unlikely and partial identification assumes importance to proceed into further investigations. The problem is encountered in cases of mass disasters, explosions, and assault cases where the body is dismembered to conceal the identity of the victim. The foot has been extensively studied to provide valuable information about an individual when an individual foot is recovered and brought for forensic examination. Researchers have attempted sex determination from foot measurements and foot index [1], [2], [3], [4], shape of the foot [5], and foot bones [6], [7], [8], [9]. Stature estimation of an individual is considered as one of the vital parameters in identification and thus has been tried from various body parts by anthropologists. It has been observed that dimensions from the lower extremity have greater association with the body height than those of the upper extremity [10]. Stature has been estimated from foot prints [11], small bones of the foot [12], [13], and various measurements of the foot such as foot length and breadth, based on the statistical equations and formulae [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21].
Foot length displays a biological correlation with height [22]. Morphology of human feet is influenced by combined effects of heredity and lifestyle [23]. Telkka opined that each racial group will need a different formula, and regional studies of the subjects are very much needed as racial and ethnic variations arise in different regions [24]. Although sex determination from foot index [3], stature from foot prints and foot outlines in males [25] and individualizing characteristics of foot prints have been studied [26], the information on the determination of stature from foot dimensions in the Gujjar population of North India remains inconclusive. In the present investigation an attempt has been made to find the relation between stature and foot dimensions in the selected community using statistical considerations.
Section snippets
Materials and methods
The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 adult Gujjars (100 males and 100 females) who reside in the villages of the Patiala district of Punjab, North India. Gujjars are one of the main endogamous caste groups of North India. This group is homogeneous in terms of ethnic composition, language and religious affiliation [26]. All the subjects included in the present study were healthy and free from any apparent symptomatic deformity of the spine or foot. Age of the subjects ranged
Results and discussions
Descriptive statistics for bilateral foot measurements and stature among males and females is shown in Table 1. The stature, foot length and foot breadth on both sides were significantly greater (p < 0.001) in males when compared with females. The findings in our study are in agreement with other researchers [10], [19], [20], [21]. Stature is an inherent characteristic and males are constitutionally taller than females. An association of Y-chromosome with stature has been documented [29]. In
Conclusion
Stature is an important parameter in determining the partial identity of unidentified bodies and dismembered remains. Means to establish stature are numerous and their significance lies in simplicity of measurement, applicability and accuracy in prediction. Foot dimensions were found to be well correlated to stature in the Gujjar community of North India. Our study indicates that stature can be predicted accurately by linear regression and multiple regression analysis even when gender is
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