Photogrammetric technique applied to anthropometric study of hands

Being concerned with physical anthropometric dimensions to explore avenues of research on hands and their working strategies, a research study was made to develop a suitable method by using available photogrammetric resources. The paper discusses the optimums of details found by this study, viz., the use of a Wild C-40 stereometric camera (for obtaining stereoscopic photographs) and the use of a Wild A7 stereorestitution instrument equipped with digital data acquisition accessories (for obtaining all dimensional information). Three-dimensional data at 21 specific points and for nine specific distances were obtained on each hand of ten persons. Test observations indicate, inter alia, a dimensional accuracy of the order of +/- 0.3 mm obtainable through the working system. Cartographic presentations made in support of the digital data are found to be of help. This also permits to obtain additional data as may be necessary at times. Photogrammetry has the advantage of reducing and maintaining to a minimum all sorts of manipulations necessary in such studies.