Anatomie et physiologie : recherches en cours
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Estimation of Stature of Eastern Indians from Measurements of Tibial Length

Dasgupta Anirban, Banerjee Arindam and Karak Prithviraj

Estimation of stature of an individual from tibial length is well tested parameter for identification and reconstruction of an individuals physic, utilized in anthropological research and medico legal cases. Earlier work in Eastern Indian population was done about a century back. Present work is undertaken to assess whether the earlier works done in this population are still applicable at present with reformation of population associated with change in time. The present study was undertaken to deduce a regression equation formulae for prediction of stature from tibial length and vice versa; the authors also wanted to make a comparison (test of significance) of stature and dry tibial length separately for males and females. The present study is based on the measurements of tibial length and body height of total 518 cadavers between 23 to 75 years of age. The maximal tibial length was measured by oblique caliper. The supine length was measured by steel tape. Obtained data was analyzed and attempt was made to find out correlation and to derive a regression formula between tibial length and supine length of an individual. A good correlation of stature was observed with tibial length and it was statistically highly significant. The regression equation for Eastern Indian males is S=71.2333+2.5792 T and that of Eastern Indian females is S = 65.345 + 2.6914 T. The difference between the estimated stature of males by application of the present regression equation and that of Nat [1] or Pan [2] was much less (underestimation of 2.8202 cm and 0.2202 cm respectively). However for females, Nat [1] did not offer any multiplying factor and applying the Pan’s factor and adjusting for the wet tibia, an underestimation of 3.27 cm was obtained. Thus, while Pan’s factor for males closely followed the present regression estimations, which for females yielded a wider difference. Quite paradoxically, Trotter’s and Gleser’s [3] regression equation for black negroes was the closest approximation (apart form the Pan’s multiplication factor for male) of our regression equation and applicable for the population of Eastern India. In conclusion the author(s) opine that to calculate the stature of eastern Indian females, the present regression equation should be used. The results of the present study would be useful for Anthropologists and Forensic Medicine Experts. But, some questions still remain: has the stature of only Eastern Indian females increased since last century? If so why? Is there any evolutionary relation between Eastern Indians and Black Negroes? Much more future studies have to be conducted in different regions of India to come to a definite conclusion.