Determining Stature from Auricular Parameters in Adult Population of Garhwal Region of Uttarakhand, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Estimation of stature from different body parts is an essential component of forensic anthropology for the identification of unknown individuals. This becomes particularly important during mass disasters, when stature assessment becomes challenging due to the non availability of intact body parts. In such instances, the auricle can be used as an alternative for stature estimation, as reported in the literature. Aim: To explore the relationship between stature and different auricular parameters in the adult population of the Garhwal Himalayas. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 208 healthy adult subjects aged 18-40 years of both genders from Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India. The study was carried out over a period of one year after obtaining approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Stature was measured using a metallic measuring tape, and auricular parameters (auricle, conchal, and lobular length and width) were measured using Vernier callipers. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 19.0 software. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was applied to determine the association between stature and ear parameters. Simple and multiple linear regression models were established to assess the predictive value of auricular dimensions in stature estimation. Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between stature and the length of the auricle (males: r-value =0.204, p-value=0.026; females: r-value=0.328, p-value=0.002) and concha (males: r-value=0.267, p-value=0.003; females: r-value=0.331, p-value=0.002). Gender-specific regression equations were formulated for calculating stature from these parameters, with greater predictive accuracy. The regression equations were: Males: Stature=146.6+0.35×auricle length; Females: Stature=124.9+0.53×auricle length. Conclusion: This study developed region- and gender-specific regression models that can reliably be used for assessing stature and thus aid in the identification of unknown individuals with mutilated or burnt body parts during mass disasters or medicolegal cases. Therefore, this approach to stature estimation has practical utility and relevance in forensic science and anthropology