Exploratory Evaluation of Cranial Suture Lengths As Supplementary Indicators of Stature: An Autopsy-Based Morphometric Study in a North Indian Population

Background: Stature estimation is an important component of forensic identification, particularly when incomplete skeletal remains are encountered. Although long bones are the preferred skeletal elements for stature estimation, cranial parameters may provide supplementary information when conventional skeletal remains are unavailable. The potential relationship between cranial suture length and stature remains insufficiently explored. This exploratory study aimed to evaluate possible associations between cranial suture lengths and stature and to assess their potential supplementary role in stature estimation in a North Indian population. Materials and methods: This prospective cross-sectional autopsy-based study included 80 medico-legal autopsy cases aged ≥21 years. Coronal, sagittal, and lambdoid suture lengths (CSL, SSL, and LSL) were measured ectocranially using a thread-and-caliper method. Supine body length was recorded as stature. Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate associations between suture lengths and stature. Regression assumptions were assessed prior to model interpretation. Results: The study included 80 individuals (54 men and 26 women) aged 21-80 years. Mean stature in male subjects was 1698.7 ± 80.9 mm, whereas in female subjects, it was 1585.4 ± 92.9 mm, with a statistically significant difference between sexes (p = 0.0005). SSL and LSL demonstrated statistically significant but weak positive correlations with stature in the combined sample (r = 0.302 and 0.297, respectively). CSL showed no statistically significant association. Sex-specific analyses did not demonstrate significant correlations. Linear regression analysis produced the following equations for stature estimation: Stature (mm) = 1356.151 + 2.219 × SSL (mm) Stature (mm) = 1401.116 + 1.506 × LSL (mm) Regression models demonstrated low explanatory power (R² < 0.10), indicating limited predictive capability. Conclusion: Cranial suture lengths demonstrated statistically significant but weak associations with stature in the combined study population. However, the low predictive accuracy and limited explanatory power indicate that these measurements possess restricted forensic utility when used independently. Cranial suture measurements should therefore be considered supplementary rather than primary indicators for stature estimation. Further validation studies with larger populations are required.