Estimation of Stature from Footprint Length

Abstract

Height and sex from different parts of the body help in solving crime mysteries related to human identity. Similarly, foot or shoe prints if present at the scene of crime may provide clue regarding the height and the sex of the person that helps in establishing partial identity of the suspect. In the present study, footprints of 100 subjects (50 males and 50 females), ageing 25-40 years. Maximum foot print length and the height of each subject was measured. Predictive equations using linear regression were then derived separately for males, females and for the combined data with the purpose of estimating the height when only the subject’s foot print length is known. Thus, in the present study, correlation coefficient (r) of: 0.645666 of left and 0.500692 of right in males, 0.808102 of left and 0.68157 of right in females, And 0.802437992 of left and 0.713979 of right in the combined data was obtained between the height and foot print length of the subjects. The standard error of estimate was: 4.990062 of left and 5.656645 of right in males, 5.110548298 of left and 5.996358 of right in females, And 5.110548298 of left and 5.996359 of right in the combined data. The standard foot print length obtained was: 24.836 cm of left and 24.688 cm of right in male, 23.396 cm of left and 23.256 cm in females. The accuracy of sex determination by this method is reported to be 80%.