Stature estimation from foot dimensions

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2008.04.029

Forensic Science International

Volume 179, Issues 2–3, 6 August 2008, Pages 241.e1-241.e5

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2008.04.029 Get rights and content

Abstract

Identification of an individual is the mainstay in forensic investigations. The dimensions of the foot have been used for the determination of sex, age, and stature of an individual. The present study examines the relationship between stature and foot dimensions among Gujjars, a North Indian endogamous group. Stature, foot length and foot breadth of 200 subjects comprising 100 males and 100 females were measured. Statistical analyses indicated that the bilateral variation was insignificant for all the measurements except foot breadth in males (p < 0.01). Sex differences were found to be highly significant for all the measurements (p < 0.01). Linear and multiple regression equations for stature estimation were calculated using the aforementioned variables and multiplication factors were computed. The correlation coefficients between stature and foot dimensions were found to be positive and statistically highly significant. The highest correlation coefficient between stature and foot length in males and foot breadth in females indicates that the foot length provides the highest reliability and accuracy in estimating stature of an unknown male and foot breadth in a female. Prediction of stature was found to be most accurate by multiple regression analysis.

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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Forensic Anthropology Population DataStature estimation from foot dimensions☆

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Materials and methods

Results and discussions

Conclusion

J. Forensic Leg Med.

Forensic Sci. Int.

J. Forensic Leg Med.

J. Forensic Leg Med.

Forensic Sci. Int.

Forensic Sci. Int.

Forensic Sci. Int.

Neuropsychologia

Forensic Sci. Int.

Foot print ratio (FPR)—a clue for establishing sex identity

J. Ind. Acad. Forensic Med.

Sexing by foot index

J. Forensic Med. Toxicol.

Determination of sex from foot measurements

Internet J. Forensic Sci.

Gender differences in adult foot shape: implications for shoe design

Med. Sci. Sports Exerc.

Sex estimation from the metatarsals

J. Forensic Sci.

Sexual dimorphism of the calcaneus of South African blacks

J. Forensic Sci.

Sex determination from the talus of South African whites by discriminant function analysis

Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathol.

Attribution of foot bones to sex and population groups

J. Forensic Sci.

Estimation of stature from body parts

Forensic Sci. Int.

Estimating height and weight from size of footprints

J. Forensic Sci.

Forensic Anthropology Population Data
Stature estimation from foot dimensions☆