Estimation of stature from hand length and hand breadth in undergraduate medical students: An anthropometric study

Stature, a determinant that aids in personal identification, can be estimated using measurements of various body parts. Forensic scientists often find dismembered body parts in trenches, rubbish and elsewhere that are brought for examination, leading to challenges in identification. This study measured the length and breadth of both right and left hands and the stature of the participants, aiming to develop more accurate linear regression equations for stature estimation. Regression equations may be affected by differences in measurements of right and left sides and study done in Nepalese population previously, lack to address this issue.

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study in which 195 medical students aged 18 to 24 were enrolled, and measurement of stature was done by stadiometer and hand length and breadth by vernier calliper, after an informed written consent was obtained.

Mean stature was higher in males (170.2±5.8cm) as compared to females (159±7.2cm). Mean length and breadth of both right and left hands were also found to be higher in males when compared with females. The model summary of the multiple linear regression analysis deduced that R is 0.805, which indicates that there is a strong positive correlation between stature and hand dimensions with a Standard Error of Estimates of 5.083cm. Hand length and hand breadth together, may be powerful predictor of stature, as indicated by the greater R value and higher explained variance.

Estimation of stature can be done using regression equation derived from hand length and hand breadth. Stature is a changing entity and is influenced by genetics and nutritional status. Future studies can be done taking these factors into consideration and also including a larger population size.