[Abstract] [PDF] [HTML] [Linked References]

A study of estimation and correlations of stature from finger lengths

Nilofer G. Mulla^1*, Prasad G. Kulkarni², S. D. Gangane³

{¹Resident, ²Asssociate Professor, ³Ex-Professor and HOD} Department of Anatomy, Grant Medical College, Mumbai 400 008, Maharashtra, INDIA.

Email: nilofer_13@yahoo.in

Research Article

 

Abstract               Introduction: Stature is one of the important and useful anthropometric parameters. It is the quantitative measure of physique and indicative of physical growth and development of an individual. Estimation of stature of an individual from incomplete skeletal and decomposing human remains has obvious significance in the personal identification. Aims and Objectives: Estimation of stature from finger length and to study their correlation. Material and methods: The present study was conducted in students of Maharashtra. Total 200 students were selected for the study (100 male and 100 female). Stature and finger lengths of both the hands were measured using standard measuring instruments. The data was analyzed and compared in both the groups. Results: The mean stature was 163.02 ± 8.42cm in males and 162.80 ± 8.01cm in females. Stature and finger length in males and female had a significant positive correlation. In males the correlation between stature and finger lengths was highest in left index finger with r=0.741 and p=0.0001 and lowest in right index finger with r=0.602 and p=0.0001. In females the correlation between stature and finger lengths was highest in left index finger with r=0.724 and p=0.0001 and lowest in right little finger with r=0.631 and p=0.0001. Conclusion: Using the regression equations for length of fingers stature can be estimated by substituting the value of other parameter in the equation.

Keywords: stature, finger lengths.

 

INTRODUCTION

Stature is one of the important and useful anthropometric parameters. It is the quantitative measure of physique and indicative of physical growth and development of an individual. Estimation of stature of an individual from incomplete skeletal and decomposing human remains has obvious significance in the personal identification¹. Assessment of height from different parts of the body by anthropometric study of skeleton is an area of interest to Anatomists, Anthropologists and to Forensic experts. Extensive work is carried out by different researchers to estimate the stature from length of bones such as femur, tibia, humerus, radius etc. Less data is available on previous work done for calculation of stature from finger lengths. In 2010 Krishan and Kanchan et al² studied the limb asymmetry and its effect on estimation of the stature. In 2009, Ryan and Bidmos³ studied the evaluation of the accuracy of the direct and indirect methods in stature reconstruction. In 2009, Menezes and Kanchan et al⁴ studied the estimation of the stature from the length of the sternum in south Indian males. In 2007, Krishan and Sharma⁵ studied the estimation of the stature from dimensions of hand and feet in north Indian population. Anthropologists observe and compare the relationship between body segments to highlight variations between ethnic origins. There is a lack of systematic studies available on the determination of stature from finger lengths in Maharashtra population. This study may hopefully prove to be a useful tool for stature determination from the dismembered remains in cases of mass disasters and criminal mutilation.

 

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Estimation of stature from finger lengths and to study the correlation of stature from finger lengths.

 

MATERIAL AND METHODS

 The present study was conducted on normal and healthy 200 subjects (100 males and 100 females) in age group of 18 – 25 years from Maharashtra. Right handed subjects were selected irrespective of caste, religion, dietary habits and socioeconomic status. Subjects with any obvious skeletal deformity, limb defects (Congenital or acquired) or any metabolic or developmental disorders which could have affected the general or bony growth were excluded from the study. After taking informed and written consent the following measurements were taken:

Stature

 It was measured as vertical distance from the vertex to the floor by stadiometer. Measurement was taken by making the subject to stand erect on horizontal resting plane bare footed with shoulder blades and buttocks touching the stadiometer.The arms were hung freely by the sides with the palms turned inwards and fingers horizontally pointing downwards. The head of subject was oriented to eye-ear-eye plane (Frankfurt plane). Stadiometer was placed behind the subject in straight vertical position which has movable rod and the movable rod was brought in contact with the vertex in mid sagittal plane. It represents the stature in centimetre to nearest 0.1 centimetres.

Finger Length

 The subjects were asked to place their hands supine on a flat hard horizontal surface with fingers extended and adducted, following which the finger lengths were measured on palmar surface. Care was taken to see that there was no abduction or adduction at the wrist joint i.e., the forearm was directly in line with the middle finger. Finger lengths were measured by Vernier caliper capable of measuring to the nearest 0.01 mm. For measuring index finger length (IFL) the distance between the midpoint of the proximal most flexion crease at the base of the index finger and the most forward placed point (tip) of the index finger in the midline was measured. Similar procedure was used for measuring middle finger length (MFL), ring finger length (RFL) and little finger length (LFL) of both hands. All the measurements were taken at a fixed time between 2 pm till 4.30 pm to eliminate discrepancies due to diurnal variation in the same place and position with sufficient light. The measurements were recorded by the same person i.e. author to minimize the errors in methodology. The data obtained were analysed by using statistical software named “Graphpad Instat, version 3, California, Sandiago”. The significance was tested through t-test; p value ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant and p ≤ 0.01 was considered as strongly significant. The results were presented separately for males and females. The Pearson Correlation Co-efficient was calculated. Regression equations were calculated for various combinations to reach the best possible estimate of stature

 

 

RESULTS

Table 1: Age distribution of study sample

It was observed that the age ranged between 18-25 years for both male and female group. The mean age was 19.92±1.62 years in males and 19.71±1.68 years in females.

 

Table 2: Mean and S.D. of height (cm) in males and females

It was observed that mean height in male subjects was 163.02cm with SD ±8.42cm. Where as in female subjects mean height was 162.80cm with SD ±8.01cm.

 

Table 3: Finger lengths (cm) distribution in male subjects

 In male subjects it was observed that length of right index finger was 6.99±0.53cm and that of left index finger was 6.98±0.48cm. Length of right middle finger was 7.71±0.52cm and left middle finger was 7.69 ±0.53cm. Ring finger of right hand measured 7.13 ±0.50cm and that of left hand measured 7.11±0.51cm. The length of right little finger was 5.76±0.46cm and left little finger was 5.75±0.46.

 

Table 4: Finger lengths (cm) distribution in female subjects

It was observed that length of right index, middle, ring and little finger in female subject was 7.02±0.44cm, 7.74±0.53cm, 7.15±0.49cm and 5.85±0.54cm respectively. Whereas length of left index, middle, ring and little finger in female subject was7.05 ±0.46cm, 7.73±0.05cm, 7.13±0.48 and 5.78±0.47cm respectively.

To calculate stature from finger lengths separately in both genders linear regression equations were formed. The equations have a constant and multiplication factor in the form of-

Stature= Constant + [multiplication factor × finger length]

The multiplication factor is first multiplied with the finger length and then added to the constant to get the stature.

 

DISCUSSION

The present study was conducted to study the correlation between stature and finger length of age group 18 to 25 years. Stature is an inherent characteristic and males are constitutionally taller than females. In females the pubertal growth spurt occurs early, but the growth stops early under the influence of oestrogen which causes early fusion of epiphysis. In males although the growth spurt occurs later, they continue to grow for a longer period under the influence of testosterone. In the present study it was observed that the mean stature (height) in males was 163.02 ± 8.42 cm and in females it was 162.80 ± 8.01 cm. thus the stature in males was greater than in females. These results were comparable with almost all the previous studies Abdel Malek A.K. et al (1990)⁶, Jasuja O.P. et al (2004)¹, Kewal K et al (2007)⁵, Tanuj K. et al (2008)⁷, Ilayperuma I et al (2009)⁸, Nur-IntaniahIshak et al (2012)⁹, Mitra A et al (2012)¹⁰ and Krishnan K. et al (2012)¹¹ which showed that the mean stature was greater in males than females.

 

Index finger length

In the present study the mean index finger length of right and left hand was 6.99 ± 0.53 and 6.98 ± 0.48cm respectively in males. While in females mean index finger length of right and left hand was 7.02 ± 0.44cm and 7.05 ± 0.46cm respectively. These findings were comparable with the results obtained by Kanchan T. et al (2008)⁷ and Krishan K. (2012)¹¹. A positive correlation (p<0.05) in males and females was observed when the stature was correlated with the index finger length. The correlation coefficient was r= 0.602 and r= 0.741 for right and left index finger in males. The correlation coefficient was r= 0.649 and r= 0.724 for right and left index finger in females. These results were comparable with the results observed by Nur-IntaniahIshak et al (2012)⁹, Mitra A. et al (2012)¹⁰, Krishan K. et al (2012)¹¹ which also showed positive correlation between index finger length and stature. The correlation coefficient was higher for left than right index finger in both males and females in the present study. These findings are consistent with the findings of Nur-IntaniahIshak et al (2012)⁹ and Krishnan et al (2012)¹¹.

 

Middle finger length

In the present study the mean middle finger length of right and left hand was 7.71 ± 0.52cm and 7.69 ± 0.53cm respectively in males. While in females mean middle finger length of right and left hand was 7.74 ± 0.53cm and 7.73 ± 0.50cm respectively. The correlation coefficient was r=0.740 and r=0.725 for right and left hand respectively in males. However, the correlation coefficient was r=0.717 and r=0.704 for right and left hand in females. Thus the correlation was statistically significant. So it was inferred that stature and middle finger length have a significant positive correlation. The findings by Nur-IntaniahIshak et al (2012)⁹ and Mitra A. et al (2012)¹⁰ were inconsistent with the present study finding.

 

Ring finger length

In the present study the mean ring finger length of right and left hand was 7.13 ± 0.50cm and 7.11 ± 0.51cm respectively in males. While in females mean ring finger length of right and left hand was 7.15 ± 0.49cm and 7.13 ± 0.48cm respectively. In males the correlation coefficient was r=0.678 and r=0.690 for right and left hand. In females the correlation coefficient was r=0.702 and r=0.656 for right and left hand. The correlation was statistically significant in both hands and in both sexes i.e. p<0.05. These results were comparable with the results of Nur-IntaniahIshak et al (2012)⁹, Mitra A. et al (2012)¹⁰, Kewal K. et al (2012)¹¹ which showed positive correlation between ring finger length and stature.

 

 

Little finger length

In the present study the mean little finger length of right and left hand was 7.13 ± 0.50cm and 7.11 ± 0.51cm respectively in males. While in females mean little finger length of right and left hand was 7.15 ± 0.49cm and 7.13 ± 0.48cm respectively. On correlating the stature with the little finger length it was found that both had a positive correlation in males and females. The correlation coefficient was r=0.657 and r=0.645 for right and left hand respectively in males. However, the correlation coefficient was r=0.631 and r=0.598 for right and left hand respectively in females. The correlation was statistically significant in both hands and in both sexes i.e. p<0.05. Pramod kumar G.N et al (2008)¹² and Mitra A. et al (2012)¹⁰ also showed positive correlation between little finger length and stature. In the present study for estimation of stature in both the genders the linear regression equations were formulated for length of fingers. Linear regression equations for finger lengths were derived by Nur-Intaniah Ishak et al (2012)⁹, Mitra A. et al(2012)¹⁰, Kewal K. et al (2012)¹¹and Pramod kumar G.N. et al (2008)¹². Variability in multiplication factors in our study with the above mentioned studies was observed. The possible reason for the variation may be that the present study was conducted on a particular region (Maharashtra) whereas others involved a different region with diverse group. As variety of factors such as, age, race, gender and nutritional status affect human development and growth and therefore, different nomograms are required for different populations.

 

CONCLUSION

Thus we could conclude that the correlation between the stature and finger lengths was positive. Using the regression equations for length of fingers stature can be estimated by substituting the value of other parameter in the equation.

 

 

 

REFERENCES

1. Jasuja OP, Singh G. Estimation of stature from hand and phalange length. J Indian Acad of Forensic Med. 2004; 26(3):100–106.
2. Kanchan T, Krishan K, Sharma A, Menezes RG. A study of correlation of hand and foot dimensions for personal identification in mass disasters. J Forensic SciInt. 2010 Jun 15; 199 (1):112 e1- 116 e6.
3. Ryan I, Bidmos MA. Skeletal height reconstruction from measurements of the skull in indigenous South Africans. J Forensic SciInt. 2007 Mar; 167(1):16-21.
4. Menezes RG, Kanchan T, Kumar GP, Rao PPJ, Lobo SW, Uysal S, et al. Stature estimation from the length of sternum in South Indian males: a preliminary study. J Forensic Leg Med. 2009; 16(8):441-443.
5. Krishan K, Sharma A. Estimation of stature from dimensions of hand and feet in a north Indian population. J Forensic Leg Med. 2007; 14(6):327-332.
6. Abdel-Malek AK, Ahmed AM, El-Sharkaw SA, El-Hamid NA. Prediction of stature from hand measurements. J Forensic SciInt. 1990 July; 46(3):181-187.
7. Kanchan T, Kumar GP, Menezes RG. Index and ring finger ratio- A new sex determinant in the South-Indian population.J Forensic SciInt. 2008 Oct; 181(1-3):53e1–53e4.
8. Ilayperuma I, Nanayakkara G, Palahepitiya N. Prediction of personal stature based on the hand length. J Galle Med. 2009 Sep; 14(1):15-18.
9. IshakNI, HemyN, FranklinD. Estimation of stature from hand and handprint dimensions in a Western Australian population. Forensic Sci Int. 2012 March; 216(1-3):199e1-7.
10. Akhlaghi M, Hajibeygi M, Zaman N, Moradi B. Estimation of stature from upper limb anthropometry in Iranian population. J Forensic Leg Med. 2012 July; 19 (5):280-284.
11. Krishan K, Kanchan T, Asha N. Estimation of stature from index and ring finger length in a North Indian adolescent population. J Forensic Leg Med. 2012 July; 19 (5):285-290
12. Pramod Kumar G.N. Study of correlation between stature and finger length. [cited 2011 Jan 25]. Available from: http://119.82.96.198:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/880/1/CDMFORE00020.pdf

Copyrights © MedPulse Publishing Corporation www.medpulse.in  2017. All Rights Reserved.