Wa0003.
Wa0003.
2 ISSN 0971-0973
Abstract
Body part measurements and estimation of stature of the individual from these measurements is
of utmost relevance in cases where dismembered bodies are found. The aim of the present study was to
find the relation between stature and foot length and to generate population-specific equations. The
stature and bilateral foot lengths of 293 individuals (178 Females and 115 Males) of the age group 18 to
25 years were measured using standard measuring technique. An effort was made to establish
statistically significant correlation between foot lengths and stature of the individual. Statistical analysis
was done to establish population specific equation for identification. An analysis of data was conducted
with SPSS version 2.0. The mean values of all the parameters in case of males were higher than in
females and the sex differences were statistically highly significant (p< 0.001). A significant correlation of
stature was observed in the foot lengths of both feet and in both males and females. Linear regression
equations were also derived to calculate stature from foot length of an individual.
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the subjects. Subjects having any skeletal skeleton has been studied by many researchers
deformity were excluded. for the purpose of identification. Nowadays, the
Stature of the individual was measured most reliable and widely used method for
in standing erect anatomical position in estimation of stature from various parameters is
centimetres with the help of a Stadiometer with the regression equation.4,5 However, due to
subject standing barefoot. Foot length was racial and demographic variation, it is desirable
measured by using Vernier Callipers. The to derive population specific equations by
maximum length of the foot was measured as conducting group specific studies.
direct distance from the most prominent part of Ozden, et al studied both foot and shoe
the back of the heel to the tip of the first toe lengths for estimation of sex and stature. They
(Great toe or Hallux), or to the tip of the second found that use of shoe measurements rather
toe, whichever was longer. than bare foot measurements are better to
3
obtain meaningful results. However, it is not
Observations and Results: easy to find out the shoe size of a person in
The data of 293 individuals (178 cases of mass disasters. Nowadays,
Females and 115 Males) was collected and researchers prefer foot measurements better
statistically analyzed using SPSS version 20. than the shoe size for estimation of stature and
Table 1 illustrates the mean, standard gender.
deviation, Pearson correlation (r, correlation Many researchers found that there is no
coefficients), Coefficient of determination (r significant bilateral difference in foot length.4-7
square) and p-value between stature and However, Krishan, et al studied 2080 footprints
dimensions of feet on left and right sides in both obtained from 1040 Gujjars of North India and
the sexes. The means values of all the observed that T-1, T-4 lengths and breadth at
measurements of parameter in case of males ball indicate statistically significant bilateral
are higher than in females and these sex asymmetry and the values are larger on the left
differences are statistically highly significant (p< side.8 In the present study, no significant
0.001). All the measurements exhibit statistically bilateral difference in foot length was observed.
significant correlation with stature (p < 0.01). It It might be attributed to small sample size.
suggest that if either stature or foot length is Various Indian researchers observed
known, the other parameter can be calculated. highly significant sex difference in all the
Correlation coefficients(r) of the foot length measurements and found that mean values are
measurements are higher in females bilaterally greater in males then female.4,6,9,10 In the present
and the highest correlation is exhibited by left study, the mean values of all the parameters in
foot (r = 0.650). However, no significant bilateral case of males were higher than in females and
difference in foot length was observed. these sex differences were statistically highly
Regression Equations: significant (p< 0.001). This can be due to the
fact that in females the epiphyseal fusion of the
Multiplication factor method was used
bones occurs earlier than males.
earlier for estimation of stature from various
Estimation of height from foot length
anthropometric measurements of body parts but
measurement was used accurately rather than
today regression formula is the most acceptable
4 width measurements and it was also observed
and widely used method.
by many researchers that bare foot
Stature (Y) = Value of constant (a) + Regression
measurements gave better results than shoe
coefficient (b) x Foot Length.
Table 2 shows linear regression equations for measurements.11-14 However, Patel, et al
concluded that both foot length and foot breadth
foot length in male and female subjects and
shows highly significant correlation with stature
standard error of estimate (SEE).
and could be used for estimation of stature.15 In
the present study, only foot lengths of the
Discussion:
individuals were measured to find out the
Estimation of stature from
correlation with stature.
anthropometric measurements of human
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J Indian Acad Forensic Med. April - June 2017, Vol. 39, No. 2 ISSN 0971-0973
11. Jasuja O P, Singh J, Jain M. Estimation of stature 14. Mohanty BB, Agarwal D, Mishra K,
from foot and shoe measurements by Samantsinghar P, Chinara PK. Estimation of
multiplication factors: a revised attempt. Fore Sci height of an individual from foot length: A study
Int. 1991;50;203-15. on the population of Odisha. Int J Review Life
Sci. 2012;2(2):69-74.
12. Singh J P, Meena MC, Rani Y, Sharma GK.
Stature estimation from the dimensions of foot in 15. Patel SM, Doshi V, Ruparelia S, Zalawadia A,
females. Antrocom Online J Anthropol. Parekh D, Rathod SP, Parmar A. Anthropological
2013;9(2):237-41. study of the foot and it’s relationship between
different parameters and stature in an adult
13. Rani M, Tyagi AK, Ranga VK, Rani Y, Murari A.
population of different areas of Gujarat. Natl J
Stature estimates from foot dimensions. J Punjab
Integr Res Med.. 2011; 2(3):67-70.
Acad. Fore Med Toxicol. 2011;11(1):26-30.
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