Exploring The Correlation of Stature with Length and Breadth of Proximal Phalanx of Middle Finger for Forensic Assessment: A Radiological Study

Abstract

Background: Dimensional relationship among various body parts and stature has been the focus of anatomists, forensic medicine special8ists, anthropologists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons and orthopedicians. Standard radiographic measurements can provide accuracy in measurement of bony dimensions.  Thus, the present study was performed to calculate length and breadth of proximal phalanx of middle finger from digital radiographs of hand and wrist joints and to find out their correlation with stature. The objective of the study was to determine length and breadth of proximal phalanx of middle finger from digital radiographs of hand and wrist joint (P/A view), to estimate stature and also to find out the correlation of length and breadth of proximal phalanx of middle finger with stature. Materials and Methods: Digital radiographs of hand and wrist joint (P/A view) were taken from 50 male students of Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka within the age of 20-25 years of age. Stature of study subjects were measured by stadiometer. Then the radiographs were imaged and transferred to computer according to scale. Finally, length and breadth of proximal phalanx of middle finger were measured by using MB ruler software. Correlation between length and breadth of proximal phalanx of middle finger with stature was observed by using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient test. Results: The mean ± SD of stature was 169.72 ± 5.06 cm. The mean ± SD of length of proximal phalanx of middle finger was 4.56 ± 0.24 cm and the mean ± SD of breadth of proximal phalanx of middle finger was 0.94 ± 0.11 cm. Length of proximal phalanx of middle finger (r = 0.314) and breadth of proximal phalanx of middle finger (r = 0.407) both had significant positive correlation with stature (p<0.001). Conclusion: So, it can be concluded that there is significant positive correlation of stature with length and breadth of proximal phalanx of middle finger in the Bangladeshi male population.