Estimation of stature from maxillo-facial anthropometry in a central Indian population

BACKGROUND: For establishing identity, stature is an important parameter in medico-legal and forensic examination. AIMS: To estimate stature from facial parameters. SETTING AND DESIGN: Prospective study conducted from December 2007 to September 2008 in the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Nagpur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 470 healthy medical students were taken, comprising 260 males and 210 females in the age group of 18 to 24 years. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data were analyzed using regression analysis and correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The average height of males and females was 170.97 (± 6.80) cm and 156.89 (± 5.89) cm respectively. It was observed that in males the total facial height had greater correlation with stature (r = 0.19) and had standard error of ±6.68 cm. In females, nasal height had greater correlation with stature (r = 0.19) and had standard error of ±5.78 cm CONCLUSION: It can be stated that percutaneous facial dimensions are not good predictors of accurate stature estimation and can be used when other parameters are not available