Height estimations based on eye measurements throughout a gait cycle

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Biomechanics
• Anthropometry

Background:

• Anthropometric measurements from video are crucial for forensic identification.
• Perpetrator concealment via clothing or headwear complicates traditional height assessments.
• Eye height (EH) offers a more reliable metric due to reduced susceptibility to concealment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify eye height (EH) variation during the gait cycle.
• To determine how head position influences EH measurements.
• To provide data for improved forensic height estimation from video evidence.

Main Methods:

• Manual eye plotting in APAS software for 16 subjects during gait cycles.
• Investigated head tilt influence on EH in 20 healthy males using facial markers.
• Calculated EH deviations and standard deviations across various head positions.

Main Results:

• No correlation found between subject height and EH displacement or variation during gait.
• Average maximum vertical EH displacement during gait was 4.76 cm (± 1.56 cm).
• EH varied significantly with head position; relaxed standing EH differed from tilted positions.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a quantifiable range for eye height (EH) estimates.
• Findings are directly applicable to forensic casework for height estimation from video.
• Data serves as a reference for comparing perpetrator and suspect eye height measurements.