Estimation of Stature Using Demispan Length and Femur Length of Students from Faculty of Medicine UNS Surakarta

Abstract

Background: In forensic medicine, identification is often performed in cases of homicide, suicide, bombings, terrorist attacks, wars, plane crashes, road accidents, and natural disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes and floods. Stature is the linear dimension of a complex anatomy consisting of a skull, vertebral column, pelvis and lower extremities. Overall, the length of the upper and lower leg bones is directly proportionate to the height of the human body. Predictor of demispan length is not influenced by age, is easy to measure without distress while the length of the femur is the best correlation with stature. This study aims to determine the correlation between stature with demispan length and stature to the length of the femur, as well as obtaining stature estimation formula.

Methods: This research was an observational analytical study with cross sectional approach. The subjects of this study were 100 students from Faculty of Medicine UNS with a minimal age of 21 years old for male and 20 years old for female. Data was collected by measuring stature, demispan length and femur length. The data was analyzed by Pearson correlation test and simple linear regression test.

Results: Data analysis showed a very strong correlation between stature and demipsan length which had value of r=0.903, p<0.05 for right arm and r=0.901, p<0.05 for left arm. There was very strong correlation between stature and femur length with the value of r=0.909, p<0.05 for right foot and r=0.911, p<0.05 for left foot. Simple linear regression analysis obtained stature estimation formula using demispan length and femur length.

Conclusions: There are correlation between stature and demispan length, and also stature and femur length. Both of those independent variables could obtain stature estimation formula.

Keywords: estimation of stature; demispan length; femur length