Estimation of Stature from Foramen Magnum Dimensions in a Western Indian Population: A Medicolegal Autopsy Study

Stature estimation is an essential component of forensic anthropology, aiding in personal identification from skeletal remains. While appendicular skeleton measurements are commonly used, in cases of mutilation or trauma, alternative reliable indicators such as the foramen magnum (FM) become crucial. To determine the correlation between stature and the dimensions of the FM and to derive regression equations for stature estimation in the Western Indian population. This prospective observational study was conducted on 106 medicolegal autopsies (76 males and 30 females) in a tertiary care center in Mumbai. Cadaveric stature was measured in the supine position. Anteroposterior (AP) and transverse diameters of the FM were measured post-brain removal using vernier calipers. Data were analyzed using SPSS v17.0 to derive regression equations. Strong positive correlations were observed between FM dimensions and stature in both sexes. In males, AP and transverse lengths showed very strong correlations ( R = 0.89 and R = 0.91, respectively), while in females, correlations were slightly lower ( R = 0.84 and R = 0.75). Regression equations were derived for each sex. The FM offers a valuable parameter for stature estimation, especially in cases involving fragmented or mutilated remains. This study provides population-specific regression equations useful for forensic investigations in the Western Indian population.