Stature estimation from forearm length: an anthropological study in Iranian medical students

Abstract

Objective Stature estimation is an important biological factor for forensic medicine to identify an individual. Forearm length can be used for the prediction of the stature in different populations. In the present study, the relation between forearm length and height was evaluated.
Methods In a cross sectional study, a sample of 100 males and 100 females (aged 18 to 25 years) medical students from Iranian population was randomly entered into the study. Left forearm was measured by measuring tape. Stature was measured in standard position. The linear regression analysis was used to estimate the relation between forearm length and the stature.
Results The mean age of subjects was 22 ± 2.21 years. Mean age of male cases was 22 ± 2.8 years and female cases was 21.9 ± 1.81 years and there wasn’t significant difference in the age of sex groups (P = 0.314). A significant differences were recorded in the height and forearm length of subjects between two sex groups (P = 0.0001). There was a correlation between height and forearm length of all subjects (r = 0.643, P = 0.0001). According to the linear regression, there was a relation between height and upper arm length of subject in all cases.
Conclusion According to the results, forearm length was a moderate predictor for stature estimation of medical students in Iranian population.
Keywords anthropology, stature, forearm length, Iranians