AbstractIndividual identification from mutilated body remains is a challenge to Forensic Experts. When incomplete skeletal material is available the stature estimation and sex differences are to be made out. Various formulae have been computed in the past using long bones but the accountability of them due to differing ethnicity and other factors like race and nutritional factors is a question. Most often a foot is brought for identification of an individual in mass disasters; natural or manmade, in assault cases where the body could be mutilated to conceal the identity of the victim. In such cases identification may not be complete, but partial identification would be of importance which helps to proceed in further investigation. One such estimate of stature of an individual by measuring foot length is of considerable value in the process of identification. Studies in the past have showed significant correlation between foot dimensions with stature and sex of an individual. It has been observed that dimensions from lower extremity have a greater correlation with the body height than those of the upper extremity. Ossification and maturation of bones of foot occur earlier than the long bones and height would be more accurately predicted from foot measurement as compared to that from long bones. This study is an effort to find correlation between foot length and stature and sex difference in this part of India and help in partial identification of the individuals.
Keywords: Forensic Anthropology; Stature; Gender; Foot Dimensions.