Estimation of Stature using the 2nd and 4th Digit Lengths of Nigerian Igbos

Stature of an individual is an important parameter of personal identification. This study was carried out to device a method of estimating stature of subjects of Igbo origin using 2nd and fourth digit lengths. In this study stature was estimated in Igbos from the bilateral measurement of length of the 2nd and 4th digit. 400 subjects (200 male and 200 female) of ages 18years and above were studied. Heights of the subject in standing position, length of 2nd and 4th digit were measured using standard procedures. Regression formulae for estimation of stature were derived for both genders in both hands. The results showed mean values of left 2nd and right 2nd digit lengths in males as 7.5187± 0.5341 and 7.44703±0.5483 respectively while those of females were7.0759±0.6219 and7.0834±0.5979respectively.The mean lengths of right and left 4th digits in males were7.9370±0.5810 and 7.9552±0.5786 while those of females were7.0759±0.6219 and7.0834±0.5979. Eight(8) regression equations for estimation of stature from 2nd and 4th digits of Igbos were derived as follows: Male: Equation 1: height(cm) = 126 + 6.72 left 2nd digit length(cm);Equation 2: height(cm) = 140 + 4.60 left 4th digit length(cm); Equation 3:height(cm) = 139 + 4.80 right 2nd digit length(cm); Equation 4: height(cm) = 139 + 4.80 right 4th digit length(cm); Female: Equation 5: height(cm) = 142 + 3.34 left 2nd digit length(cm); Equation 6: height(cm) = 135 + 4.09 left 4th digit length(cm); Equation 7: height(cm) = 135 + 4.39 right 2nd digit length(cm) Equation 8: height(cm) = 134 + 4.28 right 4th digit length(cm). The digit length will be helpful to forensic expert when digits are only available for forensic investigation for the estimation of stature and in anthropological studies.

Key Words: Stature; 2nd and 4th digit length