RESUMO
Identification is one of the most important aspects of mass disasters. Stature estimation is an essential parameter for identification and is widely used in forensic anthropology, where DNA facility is limited. A hand is most studied part of the upper limb; however, data are scarce concerning particular geographical populations. This study is an effort to provide tangible data for such forensic investigations. It was a prospective, cross-sectional study on 500 medicolegal death cases brought for post-mortem examination. It aimed to estimate stature in the Northwest population using hand and finger measurements of dead persons by mathematical models. A total of seven parameters in hand were used to generate linear and multiple regression equations, correlation coefficients and finger indexes for stature estimation and sex differentiation. The correlation coefficient between stature and all the hand measurements were significant except for the index and middle finger on both sides in females. Bilateral differences were insignificant for hand length and breath, except for the middle finger length in both sexes and length of thumb in females. Multiple regression equations for stature estimation were better than linear regression equations for stature estimation. SEE ranged from 4.31 to 6.26 in males and 4.11 to 5.25 in females. For identification, hand length is the best individual parameter among other hand measurements. The measurement accuracy and practical aspects can be enhanced if we consider cadaveric participants. The multiple regression model approach can give a fair estimate of the stature of the deceased.
