Correlation of Human Height with Hand Dimensions: A Study among Medical students

Background: Anthropometry is widely used for Identification of an individual. Height is one of the most important parameters of anthropometry. It is strongly correlated with the individual’s hand dimensions and if either of the measurements are known, the other can be calculated. Aim and Objective: To know correlation between the hand dimensions and Height of an individual and to apply the regression line of height on hand dimension of the person. Methods and Material: A crosssectional study was conducted among the medical students. Anthropometric indices were recorded after obtaining written consent and institutional approval using standard equipments. Linear regression and Pearson coefficient were calculated to study the correlation and arrive at the equation to calculate Height from Hand length. Results: Age of the study participants who consented for study (150) ranged between 18-24 years. Mean height was 165.91 cm. Mean right hand length was 17.71 cm and 17.69 cm on left hand. Mean hand width was 7.79 cm on right side and 7.56 cm on left side. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between height and the hand dimensions. Conclusions: There was a statistically significant positive correlation between hand dimensions and height. Forensic investigation, body identification and triage can be facilitated through calculating Height from hand dimensions when only mutilated body remains are received during disasters.

Body height and its estimation utilizing hand length measurements in Montenegrin: national survey / Altura del cuerpo y su estimación utilizando medidas de longitud de la mano en montenegrino: encuesta nacional

SUMMARY: The purpose of this research is to determine a regression equation for estimation of stature from hand length measurements. This research was carried out on 1001 subjects (504 male and 497 female) among the population of Montenegrin adolescents. The stature and hand length measurements were taken according to the ISAK protocol, and the data were analyzed statistically; the relationships between stature and hand length measurements were derived using simple correlation. A comparison of the means of hand length measurements between sex was performed using a t-test, while a linear regression analysis was employed to examine the extent to which hand length t measurements can reliably predict stature. The results of this research study confirmed that hand length reliably predicts stature in both sexes of Montenegrin adolescents and revealed a very useful finding for physical anthropologists and experts from related fields.

RESUMEN: El propósito de esta investigación fue determinar una ecuación de regresión para la estimación de la estatura a partir de medidas de la longitud de la mano. Este estudio se llevó a cabo en 1001 sujetos (504 hombres y 497 mujeres) entre la población de adolescentes montenegrinos. Las medidas de estatura y longitud de mano se tomaron de acuerdo con el protocolo ISAK, y los datos se analizaron estadísticamente; las relaciones entre las medidas de estatura y longitud de la mano se derivaron mediante correlación simple. Se realizó una comparación de las medias de las medidas de la longitud de la mano entre sexos mediante una prueba t, mientras que se empleó un análisis de regresión lineal para examinar hasta qué punto las medidas t de la longitud de la mano pueden predecir la estatura de forma fiable. Los resultados de este estudio confirmaron que la longitud de la mano predice de manera confiable la estatura en adolescentes montenegrinos de ambos sexos y reveló un hallazgo muy útil para antropólogos físicos y expertos en áreas relacionadas.

Arm span and hand length: Reliable indices of stature estimation

Introduction: Human height is a sexually dimorphic trait that can be estimated using various anthropometric indicators.Materials and Method: The study cohort which comprises of 500 (250 men and 250 women) healthy subjects who fall within theage range of 20 and 49 years, were selected randomly. Their standing stature, weight, hand length and arm span were measured.Results: Findings reveals that Height of male subjects was significantly (p<0.05) higher compared to that of females, the meanarm span values of male subjects were significantly (p<0.05) higher compared to that of females. Mean arm span values wasobserved to exceed stature. A strong positive correlation value of r=0.431 for males, r=0.747 for females was obtained in thisstudy between the height and arm span parameters. The mean hand length of males was significantly (p<0.05) higher compared tothat of the females. A strong positive correlation value between the height and hand length parameter r=0.093 for males, r=0.442for females was also obtained. A regression formula of height for males was Height=52.78 + (0.64) Arm span and for females,Height=61.2 + (0.59) Arm span was deduced. Conclusion: Arm span and Hand length are useful racial markers and will be ofclinical and forensic anthropological significance when dealing with the study population. This study shows that though both armspan and hand length can be used in estimation of the height of males and females, arm-span remains the most reliable. Theregression equations can be used in amputees or dead accident victims and can be applied in medicolegal issues with accurateresults.

Prediction of Stature from Metacarpal Length and Hand Length: A Digital Radiographic Study

Introduction: Personal identification means establishmentof individuality of a person. Stature estimation is one of themost important biological profiles used in identification of anindividual. The dimensions of long bones, skull, foot, handetc. have been successfully used for the determination ofstature. The objective of this study was to assess the reliabilityof Metacarpal length and Hand length in determination ofStature.Material and methods: A cross sectional sample of 100patients belonging to south Indian population was randomlyselected from patients who visited the Department of OralMedicine and Radiology, M.R. Ambedkar Dental Collegeafter obtaining informed consent. Stature of the subjects wasmeasured using a height chart ruler. Hand wrist radiographsof the left hand were obtained. 2nd, 3rd Metacarpal length andhand length were measured. The collected Data was subjectedto logistic regression analysis.Results: In males the mean value of 2nd,3rd Metacarpallength and hand length was 78.15mm, 75.56mm, 224.63mmrespectively.The observed mean difference was statisticallysignificant P<0.001.In females the mean values of 2nd,3rdMetacarpal length, Hand length was 74.10, 71.12, 210.23,respectively. The observed mean difference was statisticallysignificant P< 0.001.Conclusion: In the present study we found that 2nd, 3rdMetacarpal length and Hand length were reliable in predictionof Stature. We can there-fore recommend the radiographicmeasurements of 2nd, 3rd Metacarpal length and Hand lengthin the determination of Stature for personal identification inforensic science.

The Predictive Role Of Percutaneous Hand Length In Stature Estimation Of An Adult Nigerian Population

Background: Anthropometry of the living, historically recognized as being an essential element of physicalanthropology because of its role in classifying the biological characteristics of humans is being re-evaluated forits potential contribution to forensic investigations. This study sought to derive regression equations andmultiplication factors for stature prediction using percutaneous hand length measurement of adult Nigerians inNnewi.Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study comprised a random sample of 800 subjects (400 males and400 females) of Nigerian parentage, aged 18-50 years who volunteered and satisfied the inclusion criteria.Ethical clearance was sought and obtained; and measurements which included stature and hand length weremeasured with an anthropometer and a small sliding vernier caliper respectively, upon full consent of theparticipants. The data collated was analyzed using SPSS version 20.Results: Mean stature values of 175.12±6.61cm, 165.53±6.69cm and 170.33±8.19cm were recorded for the males,females and the pooled sample respectively. The mean values of the right, left and combined hand lengths in themales, females and the pooled sample ranged from 19.67±0.94cm to 20.91±0.77cm. Independent t test exhibitedstatistically significant gender differences (P<0.05) for all the parameters, with the males having consistentlyhigher values than the females. Paired t test revealed the existence of bi-lateral asymmetry between right and lefthand lengths in the males and the pooled sample (P<0.05). Significant positive correlation coefficients of staturewith hand length were found to range from 0.569 to 0.739 in the study. The multiplication factors computed forstature prediction from hand length ranged from 8.375 to 8.450 in the males, females and the pooled sample.Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that stature can be predicted from hand length. The prediction modelsestablished from this study will be very useful in disaster victim identification from mutilated human remains inNigeria.

Prediction Of Stature From Hand Length In Undergraduate Students Of College Of Medical Science And Teaching Hospital, Chitwan

Introduction: The identification of deceased is essential during legal investigations, such as crimes resulting infatality or discovery of unclaimed human body. Stature of an individual plays vital role in determining theidentity of unknown person. Over the past decades, several anthropometric measurements of body segments hadbeen used to compute the stature of an individual with variable degree of accuracy.Aim: To formulate the regression equations to estimate the stature from hand length.Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 197 students consisting of 100females and 97 males, in College of Medical Science, Bharatpur, Nepal. Height and length of both hands weremeasured in each student with Stadiometer and spreading caliper respectively. The data was analysed usingSPSS version 16.0.Results: The mean values of height and length of both hands were statistically higher in males than in females(p<0.05). A significant positive correlation was observed between the height and length of right and left hands inboth males and females, (p<0.05). The coefficients of determination were 0.39 in males for both hands and thatin females were 0.51 for right hand and 0.49 for left hand. The calculated height (derived using regressionequations) revealed no significant difference from the observed height in both male and female students (p>0.05).Conclusion: This study provides regression equations to estimate stature from the hand length measurements, ashand length relates well with stature.

Sex determination from hand dimensions for forensic identification.

Background: Sex determination is an important and foremost criteria in establishing the identity of an individual. The issue of Sex discrimination can be very complicated in cases of intersex, bodies in advanced state of putrefaction, mutilated & fragmentary remains in which it is common to recover dismembered & peripheral parts of the body. It was realized that anthropometric measurements of the hand has been very useful tool in sexual identification. Objectives: This paper attempts to discriminate between male and female on the basis of hand dimensions, to investigate among the variables which can better predict sex, to derive sectioning point for discriminating sex and to reflect frequent hand index category among the sexes. Methods: The research study was based on 182 subjects (91 males & 91 females) within age 18-60 years, devoid of any deformity, fracture or surgical proceedings of either hand were randomly selected from Udaipur district of Rajasthan. Hand Length and Hand Breadth was obtained from each subject and results were analyzed using IBM SPSS computer software. Results: Hand length and hand breadth show statistically significant male – female differences at p<0.001. Hand Breadth was found as best predictor of sex in comparison with hand length. Frequency of hand index categories reveals that females have highest dolichocheir morphology of hand. Sectioning point analysis confirms that cut-off point of 43 and below is suggestive of male hand whereas above 43 were considered as female hand. Conclusions: This study has implications in mass disasters and in criminal cases where an isolated hand is recovered and needs forensic identification.

Association of Hand Length With Height in Medical Students Enrolled in Skims Medical College, India.

Introduction: Stature is considered as one of the important parameters for personal identification. So, Stature reconstruction is important as it provides forensic anthropological estimation of the height of a person in the living state which plays a vital role in the identification of individual remains. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of hand length with height and to show if height could be predicted using hand lengthmeasurements in students of SKIMS Medical college. Methodology: The study of the anthropometric characteristics of 100 Medical College students of ages between 18-23 years of SKIMSMedical college, beminawith no obvious deformities or previous history of trauma to the spine or hand was undertaken. The study of these medical students, males (n=50) & females (n=50) was investigated. The anthropometric characteristics of their height and hand length were measured, analysed statistically for any significant difference, and correlation between the parameters studied. Results: The results show some significant differences between the anthropometric parameters, Pearson’s correlation analysis was used and showed a strong positive correlation, which means that high X variable scores go with high Y variable scores.(R is 0.8229) and it is significant. Results from the present study show that therewas a positive correlation between height and hand length indicating that height could be predicted using hand length. Conclusion: As age groups increase the mean length of hand also increase, so there is direct relation between length of hand and age groups. Definite proportion also exists between the height and hand length in an individual at all ages, irrespective of the sex. Height of an individual is 9 times the height of hand length. Thus we can predict height from hand length when it is difficult or not possible to measure height directly.

Estimation of Stature from Foot Length and Hand Length Measurements In Gujarat Region.

Background & objectives: Stature is considered as the height of a person measured in erect position. It is one of the most important factors in establishing identity of a person. In certain medico-legal cases, where only parts or fragments of human body are found. Such a need arises when there is mass casualty. Aim of current study was to establish anthropometric correlation of stature with hand length and foot length in population of Gujarat and also to derive regression equations for correct estimation of stature of male and female in Gujarati population. Material and Method: 150 asymptomatic, apparently healthy, adolescent and adult medical students with age between 18 to 22 years belonging to various regions of Gujarat were selected. Left foot and left hand was selected for measurement. Result: Regression equation for estimation of height using both foot length and hand length were formulated. By using the derived regression equations, height of subjects was calculated and then compared with actual height of subjects. Conclusion: By the present study we conclude that both foot and hand length can be used in estimation of stature of both males and females with fairly accurate results in Gujarati population.

Prediction of Stature from Hand Anthropometry: A Comparative Study in the Three Major Ethnic Groups in Nigeria.

Aims: The study was carried out to establish standard anthropometric values for stature estimation by using hand length in the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria between January - April 2010. Methodology: A total of 407 right hand dominant students (210 males and 197 females) aged 18 – 35 years who were purely of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba origin by both parents and grandparents, are included in this study. Each person has been studied for measurements of stature, hand length and handbreadth. Results: No significant difference was observed in stature and hand dimensions between the Igbos and Hausas. However the Yorubas are significantly shorter and have shorter hands than the Igbos and the Hausas. The males are significantly taller than the females in all the three tribes and have longer hands than the females in the Hausas and Igbos. Both the sexes of Yorubas are significantly shorter than the Hausas and have significantly shorter hands than the Hausas and Igbos when comparison was made between same sexes. The Yoruba females have shorter but wider hands than the Hausa females. No significant difference was observed in stature and hand dimensions between the Hausas and Igbos when compared between same sexes. Regression equations for estimation of stature were formulated for each ethnic group and both sexes. Conclusion: The study supports the fact that variations are present not only between races but also among ethnic groups, thus formulae derived for one ethnic group and both sexes may not be applicable to other ethnic group and sex. This study therefore provides standard anthropometric values and regression equations for the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Estimation of stature from hand length in living subjects of Gujarat Region.

Background: The hand length can be used as a basis for estimating stature in cases where only fragmentary or mutilated remains of an unknown person are recovered and also in age related loss in stature. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between Personal Stature and Hand Length in living subjects of Gujarat region and derive a population specific formula (regression equation) to estimate Stature from Hand Length. Methods: Height and Hand Lengths were measured of total 510 living subjects (258 males & 252 females) between the age group of 18-25 years belonging to Gujarat Region. Results: A positive correlation was found between Height and Hand Length and it was statistically significant. Regression equation for stature Estimation was formulated using Hand Length in both sexes. Conclusion: Dimensions of Hand can provide good reliability in estimation of stature. Simple linear regression equation so far derived can be used for estimation of height. If either of the measurement (Hand length or Total Height) is known, the other can be calculated. This fact will be of practical use in Medico Legal investigations and in Anthropometry.

Anthropometric measurements of hand length for estimation of stature in North Indians.

Stature or body height is one of the important and useful anthropometric parameter that determines the physical identity of an individual. The present study was done in department of Anatomy, Sri Guru Ramdas Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar on 400 (200 males and 200 females) healthy, asymptomatic medical subjects belonging to various regions of North India. The subjects were measured for stature and hand length of left side with standard anthropometer and a sliding caliper respectively and data was subjected to statistical analysis for deriving regression equations. The regression equations were derived both for male and female North Indians separately by means of which living stature can be accurately estimated when fragmentary or mutilated portion of upper extremity is recovered. The present study showed significant (p< 0.001) positive correlation between stature and hand length.

Estimation of stature from measurements of long bones, hand and foot dimensions.

Estimation of stature holds a special place in the field of Forensic anthropometry. The present study is an attempt to evaluate a possible correlation between stature of an individual & six parameters; hand-length, hand-width, foot-length, foot-width, forearm length & knee-to-ankle length individually in a local population of Mumbai. A sample of 300 medical students; 147 male & 153 female studying in Grant Medical College & Sir JJ Group of Hospitals was considered & measurements were taken for each of the parameters. It was found that all the six parameters showed a correlation with stature but at different degrees (significance calculated through the paired t-test). Forearm-length showed the highest degree of correlation (r = 0.6558) followed by foot-length (r = 0.6102). Knee-to-ankle length showed the lowest degree of correlation (r = 0.2086). Mathematical formulae for estimating stature were developed for each of these parameters through basic linear regression. It can be concluded that the present study has provided regression equations for six different parameters that can be used for stature estimation in the population of Mumbai. These equations should not be used for other Indian population groups.

Estimation of stature from hand length.

The present study comprised of a sample of 150 healthy individuals (75 males and 75 females) studying in various colleges of Delhi. All the individuals were measured for height and hand length. The data thus obtained have been subjected to statistical computation for deriving the regression equations. Bilateral asymmetry in hand measurements were statistically insignificant. Regression equations were derived for right and left hand separately by which living stature may be fairly accurately estimated when a fragmentary or mutilated portion of upper extremity is recovered. Using the regression formula derived in this study, stature can be estimated within the error of +4.0 to 4.6cm from hand length.

Estimation of stature from hand and phalange length.

Personal identification is an integral part of the investigation in cases of mass disasters where disintegrated and amputated body organs are found very frequently. Plastic and latent fingerprints and palm prints are also available very commonly at most of the scene of crime. Estimating stature from various parameters based on the above mentioned evidences becomes one of the most important and essential exercise for personal identification .In present paper, study on stature estimation from hand and phalanges length has been reported. Stature and phalanges length of all the fingers of both the hands of 60 individuals have been measured. The inked palm prints were also obtained and the same measurements were recorded from it also. The regression equations have been drawn from the data collected. It has been observed that stature can be estimated from the phalangeal lengths.

Relationship between height and hand length.

A study of the correlationship between the height of the person and the length of the hand was carried out in 210 volunteers. There were 100 males, 110 females, whose ages ranged from 16-60 years old. The majority were in the 16-25 year age group. The height of each individual was measured by one person and the length of the hand was measured by another person. The length of the hand was measured from the tip of the index along its axis to the base of the thenar eminence of the hand. All information for both sexes was plotted for graphic presentation. It was found that the height of a person is about ten times the length of the hand. The result of the study was also analysed for multiple regression through which the following figures were established, multiple regression R 0.91708, R square 0.84104, adjusted R 0.84028, standard error 3.36687. An equation for determination of the height was also established once the length of the hand was determined. Predicting height from hand measurement is possible from this study.