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

ABSTRACT

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.