Stature prediction using anthropometric measurements of the hand in a sample of adult Egyptian, Arab, and Malaysian populations

Among the major parameters of any biological profile, stature holds particular significance in forensic investigations. It may be problematic to have the hands of the victim in an integral form at different crime scenes. This study aimed to predict stature using different hand, fingers, and phalanges measurements in a sample of Egyptians, Arabs from the Gulf area and Malaysians. The present cross-sectional study included 300 adult, male and female healthy subjects (100 Egyptians, 100 Arabs from the Gulf area, and 100 Malaysians). Measurements included hand length, hand breadth, each finger length, and each phalanx length from the right hands of the study participants using a digital vernier calliper. Significant differences among the three studied populations regarding stature, together with hand, finger, and phalanx measurements. Males had significantly higher values than females in the three studied groups (Egyptians, Arabs and Malaysians), according to stature and all studied hand measurements. The multiple regression models obtained were population- and sex-specific, and they had higher estimates of reliability than the simple regression models. It is worth noting that simple linear regression models can be more useful when only part of a damaged hand is found at the crime scene. This scenario is more common than we might think, especially in mass disasters or murders, making the research on these models highly relevant.