Estimation of stature plays a significant role in establishing personal identity in forensic anthropology. The objective is to derive specific population regression equations to estimate stature from hand and foot measurements in the Malaysian population. A prospective cross-sectional study was done with 400 staffs and students, who were randomly chosen from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) and ranged from 19 to 60 years old. The subjects comprised 200 males and 200 females (257 Malay, 112 Chinese and 31 Indian). Eleven parameters, such as hand length 1, hand length 2, hand length 3, hand length 4, hand length 5, hand length, palm length, hand breadth, maximum hand breadth, foot breadth and foot length were measured twice by measuring tape and Vernier callipers, and were averaged. Results revealed that the parameters exhibited a significant difference between sexes and ethnic groups (p < 0.05). The relative TEM was 0.7 and 1.37% for intra- and inter-observational analyses, respectively, which were acceptable for measurement accuracy. Paired t-tests showed close approximation between estimated and true stature. Thus, the regressions could be used for stature estimation in the Malaysian population. Further study is needed to evaluate and validate the results for future use.

Introduction: Forensic anthropology plays an important role in investigation of deaths that involves skeletal remains. In cases, where the bodies are severely decomposed, mutilated or dismembered, identification of victims by means of physical appearance are almost impossible. Thus, the scientific basis of the investigators' knowledge will be useful to categorize unknown human remains into certain age, sex, race and stature groups to help in the identification of possible victims. Aim: The aim of this study was to develop a formula to estimate stature by using upper limb measurements in the Malaysian population. Materials and methods: Five parameters, which comprised hand length, hand breadth, forearm maximum length, arm maximum length and upper limb maximum length were measured from 81 male deceased persons received at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Measurements were made on body surface based on anatomical landmarks by measuring tape, ruler and calipers. Results: Maximum upper limb length showed the strongest correlation with stature (R = 0.8) followed by arm length (R = 0.75) by Pearson's correlation. Linear regressions were developed by using the parameters for stature estimation. Upper limb length exhibited the lowest standard error of estimates (SEE = 4.33). The estimated and true stature showed good approximation of values by paired t-test. Conclusion: In brief, linear regressions produced were useful for estimation of stature in the Malaysian population. � 2018 Japan Health Sciences University & Japan International Cultural Exchange Foundation.

Introduction. Stature is one of the characteristics that could be used to identify human, besides age, sex and racial affiliation. This is useful when the body found is either dismembered, mutilated or even decomposed, and helps in narrowing down the missing person's identity. Aim. The main aim of the present study was to construct regression functions for stature estimation by using lower limb bones in the Malaysian population. Materials and Methods. The sample comprised 87 adult individuals (81 males, 6 females) aged between 20 to 79 years. The parameters such as thigh length, lower leg length, leg length, foot length, foot height and foot breadth were measured. They were measured by a ruler and measuring tape. Statistical analysis involved independent t-test to analyse the difference between lower limbs in male and female. The Pearson's correlation test was used to analyse correlations between lower limb parameters and stature, and the linear regressions were used to form equations. The paired t-test was used to compare between actual stature and estimated stature by using the equations formed. Result. Using independent t-test, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the measurement between males and females with regard to leg length, thigh length, lower leg length, foot length and foot breadth. The thigh length, leg length and foot length were observed to have strong correlations with stature with p= 0.75, p= 0.81 and p= 0.69, respectively. Linear regressions were formulated for stature estimation. Paired t-test showed no significant difference between actual stature and estimated stature. Conclusion. It is concluded that regression functions can be used to estimate stature to identify skeletal remains in the Malaysia population. � Societ� Editrice Universo (SEU).