Stature estimation and craniometry–a computed tomography scan based study in South Indian adult population

• Morphometric CT scan study of cranium in a South Indian population for stature estimation. • 511 patients were recruited for the study. • Twenty-nine cranial variables were studied in each of these patients. • Simple and multivariate linear regression model for stature estimation. • In males and females, the proportion of variance of stature was 20 % and 21 % respectively. Stature estimation contributes to the identification of an individual which is one of the objectives of a medicolegal autopsy. Stature can be estimated by measuring various landmarks of the cranium. Owing to the geographical variations, the regression formula used for one population may not be applicable to other populations. This CT scan study was conducted with an aim to develop regression formulas for the different cranial parameters in a South Indian adult population. 511 patients scheduled for elective CT scans of the head and neck were recruited. Twenty-nine cranial variables were studied in each of these patients. Simple and multivariate linear regression was performed to establish a predictive stature estimation model. Pearson correlation and the predictive stature estimation model were considered significant if the P value was ≤ 0.05. All the cranial measurements showed a statistically significant correlation with stature in the overall population except for right orbital height, left orbital height and minimum distance between the condyles. The proportion of variance of stature explained by the model was found to be 27 % for the overall population, whereas it was 20 % and 21 % respectively for the males and females. Our results suggest that the studied cranial measurements have a positive correlation with stature and can be used to estimate the stature, but the R 2 values are not so encouraging.