Assessing Agreement Level between Actual Stature and Regression Estimates using Foot Length of Adults

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Stature can be determined using measurementsof different body parts. Forensic anthropology uses regressionequation for determining stature from body part. The aim ofthe present study is to assess the agreement level betweenactual and estimated stature using regression equation fromright foot length (RFL) among both sexes in Chennai region.Material and methods: In this cross sectional study, 619subjects of both sexes with age ranging from 18 to 59 yearswere studied for determination of stature. Simple regressionequations were formulated from RFL. They were appliedfor determination of stature of an individual of both sexesseparately. Then they were assessed for their agreementbetween actual and estimated stature.Results: The present study found a satisfactory agreementbut not very good agreement between actual and estimatedstature with regression equation from RFL in both sexes.According to the Bland-Altman plot, there was a bias asnegative predicted higher than the actual stature values andfew observations were found moving beyond lower and upperlimits (95% confidence limit).Conclusion: When actual stature cannot be determined,regression equation could be the most appropriate forprediction of stature using foot length in adults.