Predicting Stature From Body Trunk Dimensions: A Regression Analysis Approach

It is not uncommon in forensic medicine to receive only the body trunk for postmortem examination. The study intended to derive linear regression formulae for estimating stature with two parameters of the body trunk: the inter-acromial length and the distance from the suprasternal notch to the pubic symphysis, and to correlate them with the known stature. The cross-sectional study was conducted on subjects more than 18 years of age belonging to the North-West region of India. Pearson’s correlation test was applied to assess whether there was a relationship between the parameters measured and stature. Gender-specific linear regression models for estimating stature were established. The paired t -test was employed to compare the known and estimated stature. Pearson’s correlation in the combined gender group showed good correlations between parameters measured and stature. The paired t -test between known and estimated stature was statistically not significant, with a p value of >.05. The present study has established a definite correlation between stature and the parameters measured. Stature can be estimated from these parameters in situations where only the body trunk is available for postmortem examination and subsequent identification.