INTRODUCTION:
Anthropology is the study of humans. Its main
sub-divisions are cultural anthropology and biological anthropology. Forensic
anthropology is a branch of biological anthropology which deals with the
application of osteology, archeology for the identification of modern human
remains or reconstruction of events surrounding a person’s death. Estimation of
height is an important parameter in the identification of skeletal remains in
forensic examination. It becomes more vital in case of mass disasters and fault
assault of individuals[1, 2] .Stature is estimated by comparing the length of
certain long bones like femur, tibia, fibula, ulna but short bones like bones
of the hand and feet may also be used[3]. There is also a definitive biological
correlation of stature with body parts such as extremities, head, trunk and
vertebral column[4]. With this background in concern, a study was made to
estimate the stature of a person using the mandibular width.
The mandible is a single mobile bone of the skull
which develops during the 6th week of intrauterine life. It is an
important bone which helps in sophisticated functions like mastication and
speech. Mandibular dimensions are very important to determine where the growth
occurs at the mandible[5]. It may also help in yielding better results when
it’s co-related to a person’s age.
METHODS AND MATERIALS:
The study was conducted among the South Indian
population for 30 females in Saveetha Dental College, Tamil Nadu, India during
the month of April. The subjects were selected at random within the age group
25 – 30 years. The focus of the measurements were mandibular width and the
height of the person .The mandibular width was measured from angle to angle of
the mandible with the help of vernier calipers while the height of the person
was measured using Standard Height Frame, the measurements were taken by the
same examiner at a fixed time between 10.00 to 11.00 a.m. to minimize the chances
of errors.
RESULT:
The data that was collected for the mandibular width
and height of the individual was computed in order to calculate the mean values
of each.
Number of subjects: 30
females
Range of mandibular width: 11.5 – 15.6
cms
Mean value of mandibular width: 12.80± 0.7883 cms
Range of height of a person: 152 – 178
cms
Mean value of height of a person: 162.51±
6.860 cms
Using the simple linear regression equation, the
stature can be estimated approximately,
Using the formula: y
= a+ bx
The regression equation was calculated to be:
Y = 168.06 – 0.433x
Where,
y = height
of the person in cms
x =
mandibular width in cms
a and b = regression constants
DISCUSSION:
During identification of skeletal remains, general
characteristics are determined first. These characteristics include the age,
sex and race of the individual The Trotter and Gleser formulae were used for
many years for stature estimation[6]. But many other studies have contradicted
to this theory that a formula should be specifically derived for each
population[7,8]. The anatomical method of Fully for reconstructing stature
involved the addition of skeletal elements from the calcaneus to the skull and
has been used in forensic context. However, it has a tendency to underestimate
the actual living stature.
Certain studies have indicated that the stature can be
estimated using various facial parameters. Kanchankumar et al has estimated
stature from maxilla-facial anthropometry like nasal height and total facial
height (height between nasion and gnathion) in a central Indian population[9].
A study on Haryani adults by Mahesh Kumar et al also concluded that other
cephalo – facial measurements like the maximum head length were also used to
estimate the stature of a person[10]. Anthropometric data and odontometry of
the skull can also be used to estimate the stature [11].
The mandible has been also used to find certain
general characteristics like gender, age, height. In a study using radiographic
images, Revant. H Chole concluded that
the mandibular angle serves as important criteria for sex determination. The
mandibular angle was found to be inverted in males and everted in females[12]. The
mandibular body length, ramus height and mandibular length was increased by
2.23, 3.26, 4.26 mm/ years respectively. There are no significant differences
in mandibular linear growth between the two sexes though the female mandible
has a higher growth rate compared to males. These parameters might prove to be
of importance in age determination [13]. Very little study has been done to
calculate the height of the person using the mandible.
Using the data collected, the mean stature was
estimated using the linear regression method for the South Indian Females. In
this study the mandibular width was used as a parameter to estimate the stature
of the person .The usefulness of regression equations is generally assessed on
the intercept (y value that is calculated). The mean stature of the subjects in
our study was compared to the study in Caucasian Italian population using
different mandibular parameters. In the study, Chantal Milani used the bigonial
distance as the parameter to calculate the stature, using the formula derived ELS= (7.076)Go-Go +
98.332 where ELS is the estimated living stature[14]. In the current study the
mean value for mandibular width was found to be 12.8 ± 0.7883 cms and the mean
value for height was 162.51 ± 6.860 cms using the formula derived mentioned
above. The similar values of the mean height of the person and the estimated
stature of the equation suggest that the mandibular width may be considered as
a reliable parameter for stature estimation. This anthropological study has
favorably shown that the mandibular width can also be reliable parameter for
stature estimation.
CONCLUSION:
This study will impact the forensic science community
by providing a new method to contribute to the biological profile using the
skeletal element. When long bones are absent, the only remains available may be
ones normally used to estimate stature. Even though a very little study has
been made, the mandible can be used as a reliable parameter for stature
estimation by just using the mandibular width. This way it can also help to
reduce the list of potential missing person and help to achieve a positive
identification.
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