Direct and indirect estimation of stature using measurements of metacarpals of South Africans of African descent

Abstract Background Stature reconstruction is an important component of skeletal analysis in personal identification. The mathematical method has been used in various parts of the world to establish standards for estimation of stature from measurements of intact and fragmentary long bones. While few studies have shown the usefulness of measurements of metacarpals for stature reconstruction in other parts of the world, none has been conducted in any population group in South Africa. Aim of the study The aim of the current study was therefore to derive regression formulae for South Africans of African descent using both the direct and indirect methods of skeletal stature estimation using measurements of metacarpals. Materials and methods The sample included 53 male and 50 female South African of African descent skeletons from the Raymond A. Dart Collection of Human Skeletons. Data on total skeletal height (TSH) and measurements of metacarpal were collected and found to be within acceptable technical errors of measurement. Results Data were normally distributed with mean values significantly higher for males than for females. The range of correlation between TSH and measurements of metacarpal (0.40–0.84) was stronger than between maximum length of metacarpal and other measured variables of metacarpals (0.34–0.66) in both univariate and stepwise regression equations. For direct and indirect functions, 10 univariate and multivariate equations are presented with standard estimate errors (2.4–5.2 cm) and accuracy of 62–88% (within 1 SEE) and 92–99% (within 2 SEE). Conclusion The derivative functions, specific to South Africans of African descent, add to the suite of formulae to be considered in forensic investigations.