Stature and limb lengths as indicators for age estimation

ABSTRACT

In this study five hundered cases with age range from birth to 20 years were taken from Minia district of Upper Egypt. The subjects were divided sexwisely, into 5 age groups newborn, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years and measured for height, upper limb length and lower limb length. Stature of the newborn was calculated by adding the crown rumb length to the lower limb length. Standards for stature and limb lengths at the different ages are presented in the form of tables and figures. The point at which the lengths of the limbs were equal was at 3 years and 10 months for boys and 3 years and 6 months for girls. After this age, the lower limb becomes longer than the upper limb. The point of intersection is an excellent developmental age markers which may be considered as a very simple identification tool in that age. Furthermore, ratios between segment lengths can be used as a quick and simple tool of age identification in accidents and crimes where parts of cadaver are the only presenting signs