Lower Extremity Measurements in the Prediction of Body Height of the Igbos

Abstract

Body height prediction is one of the biological profiles used in the identification of individuals in cases of natural and man made disasters, and in crime investigations. In the present study, an attempt was made to derive regression formula to determine Body Height (BH) from lower extremity dimensions. 123 females and 88 males belonging to the Igbo population of Nigeria who gave informed consent were studied. BH was measured using standard protocols and measurements of the lower extremity segments were taken using measuring tapecutaneously. The mean observed BH of the studied population was 167.55±9.10 cm. In sexing the population, all the variables obtained were statistically significant, p<0.0001 except Thigh Length (TL). All the lower limb segments measured, showed positive significant correlation with body BH except Leg Length (LL) in the females. The multiple linear regression models generated using Lower Leg Length (LLL), LL and Trochanteric height (TROCH) in the overall population, and using LL and TL in the males performed better than the simple linear regression models because of the values of ‘R’ used in testing model adequacy. In females, LLL performed better than the other lower limb segments.