A STUDY ON ESTIMATION OF STATURE FROM FOOT LENGTH

Abstract

Stature is considered as one of the important and significant parameters for
establishment of personal identity in forensic medical examination or anthropological studies.
With the alarming increase in frequency of road and train accidents, floods, fire, deliberate
mutilation, disfigurement and natural disasters, there is a need of studies that provide help to
identify the deceased from fragmentary and dismembered human remains. In such situations,
measurements of feet provide a reasonably good estimation about the stature of a person.
The paucity of data that allowing reconstruction of stature from the dimensions of feet which
highlights the need of such study. Objectives: 1). To determine the relationship between foot
length and stature by calculating correlation coefficient. 2- To establish a regression model for
estimation of stature from foot length in both male and female. Study design: Cross sectional
survey study was carried out on the MBBS students of above 20 years of age of King Edward
Medical University, Lahore. Sampling technique: Systematic sampling technique applied.
Amongst the total students (873) of 3rd year, 4th year and final year, every third student was
included. Place of study: Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology KEMU, Lahore.
Duration of study: It was carried out in one year. Material and methods: The subject selection
was based on following criteria: Inclusion criteria: The MBBS students of King Edward Medical
University, Lahore irrespective of sex with age above 20 years were included in this study.
Exclusion criteria: The subjects having diagnosed lower limb or foot deformities on clinical
assessment were excluded. Results: A significant and positive correlation was found between
foot length and stature in male and female subjects and regression equation was framed for
both sexes. The correlation coefficient was highest between stature and foot length in males
and females. Conclusion: Dimensions of feet can provide good reliability in estimation of
stature. The correlation coefficient was highest between stature and foot length of both in males
and females.