Hand Length as Predictors of Stature Among Young Adults in Moradabad: A Forensic Anthropological Perspective

Abstract

This study investigates the utility of hand length as a predictor of stature among young adults aged 18-24 years in Moradabad, India. Forensic anthropological estimations of stature are crucial in identifying unknown human remains, particularly when complete skeletal remains are unavailable. Anthropometric measurements, including hand length, have shown promising correlations with overall body height across various populations. Our research involved a sample size of 300 individuals (150 males and 150 females) from the Moradabad region. Standard anthropometric techniques were employed to measure the hand length (from the tip of the middle finger to the distal wrist crease) and standing height of each participant. The collected data will be subjected to rigorous statistical analysis, including correlation and regression analyses, to establish sex-specific and pooled regression equations for stature estimation. The findings are expected to demonstrate a significant positive correlation between hand length and stature, providing valuable region-specific data for forensic investigations. This study aims to contribute to the existing body of forensic anthropological literature by offering a reliable and practical method for stature estimation in the Moradabad population, thereby enhancing identification processes in medico-legal contexts. The results will be compared with similar studies conducted in different populations to highlight regional variations and the applicability of derived regression formulae. This research underscores the importance of population-specific data in forensic anthropology, ensuring more accurate and reliable estimations for identification purposes.