Development of stature estimation formulas based on the metacarpal and metatarsal bone lengths of the Thai population

Abstract

As one of the components of the human biological profile, stature estimation is highly relevant for forensic anthropologists. Because of severe dismemberment, secular trends, and biological variation, a population-specific stature estimation formula from alternative body measurements is required. This study aimed to develop formulas for stature estimation from metatarsal and metacarpal lengths of the Thai population through linear regression analysis. This study involved 100 adult remains aged 22–89 years old. The samples were further classified by sex and age, resulting in four sample groups (males, males ≤ 60, females, and females ≤ 60). All metacarpal and metatarsal measurements are significantly correlated with stature (p < 0.01). Metatarsal lengths are more accurate in predicting Thai adults’ stature than the metacarpals (r > 0.50). The age restriction on the samples impacted the accuracy levels, with the younger sample groups showing a higher accuracy. The MT, MTL, MT2R, and MT3L showed a higher r and lower SEE for all but the all-female samples. Multiple regression analysis of the MC and MT yielded a more accurate formula for all age groups. Further studies on population-specific stature estimation based on alternative anthropometric measurements should be conducted to increase the accuracy of biological profiling.