Correlation of anthropometric measurements using hand length and middle phalange length and odontometric measurements using carrea’s index-a possible forensic tool in stature estimation.

The main aim of presentobservational cross-section study was to correlate the anthropometricmeasurements using hand length, middle phalange length with odontometricmeasurements using Carrea’s index in stature estimation.

A total of 150 subjects ofage group 20-25 years were included in the present study. With the obtained informed consent, height of thepatient was measured using standard anthropometer. Hand length and middlephalange length was measured on both right and left sides using Digital Verniercallipers. Arch and chord length of mandibular anterior teeth on both right andleft hemi arches was measured on dental cast using Digital Vernier callipers. All the parameterswere recorded in a specially designed proforma.

Regression equations were derived for hand length andmiddle phalange length to calculate estimated height and Carrea’s index wasused to calculate estimated height from arch and chord length of mandibularanterior teeth. The estimated height from all the parameters were compared withthe actual height.

In the present study, linear correlation was obtainedfor all the parameters with the actual stature and all the parameters showedstatistically significant results in stature estimation. Estimated height fromhand length and middle phalange length on both right and left sides was inmoderate correlation with the actual height compared to that of estimatedheight from Carrea’s index on both right and left hemi arches which was in weakcorrelation.

To conclude, bothanthropometric parameters (Hand length and Middle phalange length) and Odontometricparameters (Carrea’s Index) were used for estimation of stature. Among allparameters, hand length on both right and left sides predict stature moreaccurately whereas Carrea’s method was an auxillary tool for statureestimation.