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Background <p>Stature estimation from skeletal remains is critical in forensic anthropology, particularly when long bones are fragmented, decomposed, or absent due to trauma, environmental factors, or mass disasters. Among hand bones, middle phalanges stand out as small yet structurally resilient elements that frequently preserve even in compromised remains, making them valuable for stature estimation and identification. While direct skeletal measurements provide the gold standard, establishing reference equations from living individuals—using indirect crease-to-crease lengths as proxies for osseous dimensions—offers practical baseline data applicable to both dry bones and body parts recovered with intact soft tissues. This approach bypasses the need for immediate dissection or maceration, enabling non-invasive stature estimation and reconstruction in medicolegal scenarios.</p> Methodology <p>A total of 140 cases were included in this study, fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Stature was measured using a wall-mounted stadiometer, while middle phalangeal lengths (index, middle, ring, and little fingers of both hands) were determined via digital vernier calipers and impression technique, using proximal and distal interphalangeal joint creases as landmarks. Two independent, blinded observers followed standardized anthropometric protocols, with inter-observer reliability assessed statistically. Regression analysis evaluated phalangeal length-stature relationships. Statistical analysis utilized SPSS with Shapiro–Wilk normality testing, t-tests/Mann–Whitney U for group comparisons, Pearson correlations, simple/multiple/stepwise regression (R<sup>2</sup>, SEE, LOOCV validation), multicollinearity assessment (VIF), and inter-observer reliability (ICC, Bland–Altman; α = 0.05).</p> Results <p>All middle phalangeal lengths demonstrated significant positive correlations with mean stature (166.24 ± 8.94&#xa0;cm; <i>r</i> = 0.20–0.48, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), peaking at the right middle finger (<i>r</i> = 0.479). Simple linear regressions accounted for 4–23% of stature variance (R2 = 0.040–0.230), while multiple regression models achieved 29–33% explanation (maximum R2 = 0.327, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001). Inter-observer reliability proved excellent across techniques (ICC = 0.89–0.98).</p> Conclusions <p>Middle phalangeal measurements are reliable, sexually dimorphic predictors of stature. The impression technique matches vernier caliper accuracy while offering greater practicality for field and postmortem use, supporting its inclusion in forensic protocols for identification from fragmented hand remains.</p>

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Estimation of stature from middle phalangeal crease-to-crease distances using impression technique and vernier calipers: a comparative validation study

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月24日

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  • Murali G,
  • Yogender Singh Bansal,
  • Dilip Vaishnav,
  • Aravind A

摘要

Background

Stature estimation from skeletal remains is critical in forensic anthropology, particularly when long bones are fragmented, decomposed, or absent due to trauma, environmental factors, or mass disasters. Among hand bones, middle phalanges stand out as small yet structurally resilient elements that frequently preserve even in compromised remains, making them valuable for stature estimation and identification. While direct skeletal measurements provide the gold standard, establishing reference equations from living individuals—using indirect crease-to-crease lengths as proxies for osseous dimensions—offers practical baseline data applicable to both dry bones and body parts recovered with intact soft tissues. This approach bypasses the need for immediate dissection or maceration, enabling non-invasive stature estimation and reconstruction in medicolegal scenarios.

Methodology

A total of 140 cases were included in this study, fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Stature was measured using a wall-mounted stadiometer, while middle phalangeal lengths (index, middle, ring, and little fingers of both hands) were determined via digital vernier calipers and impression technique, using proximal and distal interphalangeal joint creases as landmarks. Two independent, blinded observers followed standardized anthropometric protocols, with inter-observer reliability assessed statistically. Regression analysis evaluated phalangeal length-stature relationships. Statistical analysis utilized SPSS with Shapiro–Wilk normality testing, t-tests/Mann–Whitney U for group comparisons, Pearson correlations, simple/multiple/stepwise regression (R2, SEE, LOOCV validation), multicollinearity assessment (VIF), and inter-observer reliability (ICC, Bland–Altman; α = 0.05).

Results

All middle phalangeal lengths demonstrated significant positive correlations with mean stature (166.24 ± 8.94 cm; r = 0.20–0.48, p < 0.05), peaking at the right middle finger (r = 0.479). Simple linear regressions accounted for 4–23% of stature variance (R2 = 0.040–0.230), while multiple regression models achieved 29–33% explanation (maximum R2 = 0.327, p < 0.0001). Inter-observer reliability proved excellent across techniques (ICC = 0.89–0.98).

Conclusions

Middle phalangeal measurements are reliable, sexually dimorphic predictors of stature. The impression technique matches vernier caliper accuracy while offering greater practicality for field and postmortem use, supporting its inclusion in forensic protocols for identification from fragmented hand remains.