PREDICTION OF STATURE BY THE MEASUREMENT OF HEAD LENGTH IN POPULATION OF RAJASTHAN

BACKGROUND: Estimation of stature has a significant importance in the field of forensic anthropometry for the identification of an individual. AIMS: Study was carried out to assess and correlate head length and the stature and to predict the stature of an individual by head length using regression analysis. MATERIALS & METHODS: Total 300 (150 males and 150 females) medical students of S.M.S medical college, Jaipur (Rajasthan) were selected. Head length and height of the individual were measured. RESULTS: Correlation coefficient between height & head length were r=0.941 for Male & r= 0.85 for Female suggestive of strong positive correlation. Regression equations were derived to calculate height of unknown individual from head length. CONCLUSION: Present study has established definite correlation between stature and head length. If either of the measurement (total height or head length) is known, the other can be calculated. It will help in medico-legal cases in establishing identity of an individual when only some remains of the body are found as in mass disasters, bomb explosions, accidents etc.