Height Prediction from Ulnar Length in Chabahar: a City in South-East of Iran

Height prediction from ulnar length in Chabahar: a City in South-East of Iran

Maryam Borhani-Haghighi1, Shadan Navid1, Gholamreza Hassanzadeh2,*

______Abstract: Introduction. Height estimation from the remaining skeleton has a great importance for personal identiﬁcation in forensic medicine and anthropometric studies. This study emphasized the height estimation from ulnar length in Chabahar population. Objective. One of the most important items in individual identification is estimation of the height from the size of various parts of the body. The aim of this study was to formulate a linear regression equation for the estimation of the stature of the person from the length of ulna in Chabahar, a city in the southeast of Iran,aged between 20 and 50 from the length of their ulnar bone. Materials and methods. This study was performed in Chabahar on 200 (100 males and 100 females) right-handed individuals ;aged between 20 and 50 years from March to July 2015. The height was measured from the vertex to the heel and the length of the ulna as a percutaneous bone was measured from the apex of the styloid process to the olecranon process of the left hand. The facts were analyzed by SPSS software. The prediction of a considerable relation among the variables was determined by the Pearson’s Correlation coefficient. Result. After analyzing the data statistically, it was revealed that there is a significant relation between the height and ulna length (p < 0.05). The correlation coefficient for the left ulna was found to be 0.59 in males and 0.57 in females. Supportive regression equations and scatter- plot diagrams could successfully interpret the height from the ulnar length in the study population. Conclusion. The ulna as a precutaneus bone is able to be used for the prediction of the height. The ulna length offered precise and reliable method in predicting the height of an individual. Key Words: ulna, stature, height, personal identiﬁcation.

he prediction of the stature by anthropometric bones such as tibia, fibula and ulna [1-4]. The ulna has Tstudy from bony parts of the human body simply recognizable surface landmarks that make the has been considered by anthropologists, anatomists and measurements achievable; therefore, it can indirectly be forensic medicine specialists. An indirect estimation can used to formulate the stature [5-6]. be acquired by correlating the stature with other skeletal Stature is one of the factors in the description of a parameters, when the stature of an individual cannot be person and that can be affected by sex, race, age , type of predicted directly, as in hospitalized patients, patients weather and status of nutrition [7]. Telekka et al. (1950) with deformity of vertebral column or limb defects. In studied the limb bones and expressed in each racial group, addition, to determine identity of the injured cadavers the estimation of stature requires its own formula [8]. with amputated limb brought to the forensic medicine Particularly because percutaneous measurement stature is one of the essential parameters. An appropriate of bones such as the ulna and tibia could be made, guide for selection of an equation for evaluation of height estimation of stature has been linearly regressed with the could be used by the measurement of length of long length of these bones [6]. The linear regression equation 1) Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Department of Anatomical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2) Tehran University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Tehran, Iran * Corresponding author: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Tehran, Iran, Tel: +98 (21) 88953008, Fax: +98 (21) 66419072, E-mail: [email protected]

304 Romanian Journal of Legal Medicine Vol. XXIV, No 4(2016)

Table 1. Descriptive statistics of stature and left ulnar length in both genders. (P > 0.05) Mean Standard deviation Min Max Male 176.07 7.70 159 205 Stature Female 162.99 5.62 150 179 Total 169.56 9.4 150 205 Male 29.17 1.72 25 35 Left ulnar length Female 26.47 1.29 23 30 Total 27.97 2.23 23 35

Table 2. Correlation coefﬁciency (r) between stature and Left position while back of the shoulders, and heels were in ulnar length in both genders contact with the wall. The height of each individual was Male 0.59 measured from the floor level with the measuring tape. Correlation coefficient (r) Female 0.57 The length of ulna was measured while the Total 0.75 forearm was flexed at the elbow from the tip of the Male 101.70 olecranon process to the tip of the styloid process with Regression constant (a) Female 97.63 a centimeter tapeline with an accuracy of 0.5 cm. The Total 81.89 Male 2.55 measurement was taken and repeated for three times and Regression coefficient (b) Female 2.47 the mean was recorded (Table 1). Total 3.13 All data was analyzed by using the SPSS software, Male 5.48 version 16. The prediction of a considerable relationship Standard error of estimation Female 2.52 among the variables was determined by the Pearson’s Total 4.37 Correlation coefficient. The correlation between the dependent variable (y) and an independent variable (x) of the stature based on length of the ulna has a specific was determined by simple linear regression, with the advantage over length of tibia, since it can be helpful in regression coefficient (b); the model of the regression the situation when there are deformities of the lower equation was y= a + bx and a confidence interval of limbs, associated with the deformities of the trunk. 95 percent which was equal to 1.96 standard deviation Lundy JK et al. (1985) discussed the regression similar to every equation; was accepted and the standard equation and anatomical technique of estimating the error of regression (SE) was calculated. The ultimate living height from the long extremity bones [9]. The equation model was y = (a + bx) ± (1.96 x SE). inquiries of different researchers have proposed the linear regression of the height of an individual with the Result percutaneous length of ulna [10-11]. There are a few studies conducted on ulna in the other countries [10, 12] Scatter-plot graph correspond to the relationships but to reveal the effect of race on the factors of personal between the dependent variable are demonstrated in identity needs more studies. Thus, this study was Figure 1. Descriptive statistics of height, left ulnar length conducted in Chabahar a city in the southeast of Iran. in both genders was shown in Table 1, and correlation coefficient between the stature and left ulnar length in Materials and methods both genders was illustrated in Table 2. Regression formulas to estimate the stature from This study was performed in the Chabahar a city ulnar length was achieved as below: in the southeast of Iran. A total of 200 individual (100 Female: Estimated Height (cm) = 97.63 + 2.47 x males and 100 females) aged between 20 and 50 years Left ulnar length (cm) ± 2.52; were evaluated, because ossification of the ulna complete Male: Estimated Height (cm) = 128.05 + 1.64 x at the age of 20 and bones of ladies above 50 years may be Left ulnar length (cm) ± 5.48; subjected to menopausal erosion [13]. In this study all of the Total: Estimated Height (cm) = 81.89 + 3.13 x individuals were right-handed and the measurements were Left ulnar length (cm) ± 4.37. performed on the left arm. The left arms of the individuals with right hand were selected due to insignificant bilateral Discussion variation in males and females [14]. The individuals with any deformity or amputated Different studies have been performed to left upper limb in either of the upper limbs were not estimate the stature from remains of body for example incorporated in the study. Informed consents were taken long bones, sternum, scapula, and ulna [6, 15-19]. from each individual before incorporating them into our Researches that have been performed to investigate the study. relative between long bones and height have revealed the The height from the vertex to the heel with bare consequence of environment, nourishment, genetics, sex foot was measured for each individual, in anatomical and age [7]. Due to the effect of some factors such as race

305 Borhani-Haghighi M. et al. Height prediction from ulnar length in Chabahar

Figure 1. Scatter-plot matrix representing the relationships between the height and left ulnar length A) in females and B) in males. and sex on length of ulna and height, this investigation particular age by reason of vertebral column erosion, was done on 200 individual(100 males and 100 females) therefore the addition of a wider variety of age groups between 20 and 50 years of age in Chabahar . could overcome its restrictions for its applicability of run In the present study, mean of height and length the regression model. of ulna were higher in males. It is owing to the fact that This study was done on people in Chabahar, union of epiphyses of the bones takes place sooner in because anthropological studies have not been done on girls. On the other hand, bone in boys continues to grow this area of the country and on the other hand there is an two more years than girls [20]. The mean length of the anthropology museum in the city that will make possible ulna was 29.17 cm in males and 26.47 cm in females. more studies between anthropometric characteristics of The correlation coefficient between height and length of the people in the past and the present. the left ulna was 0.59 in males and 0.57 in females. Our findings confirmed previous research findings; predicted Conclusion the stature from ulna length as were reported by Gauld LM et al. predicted the stature of Australian from ulna The ulna is able to be used for the prediction of length [5]. A study which was done by Nagesh KR the height. The ulna length offers precise and reliable et al. discussed the regression equation of estimating the methods in prediction the height of an individual. The stature from the percutaneous length of long bones in the regression formula derived in this study can be used South Indian population [21]; furthermore, Barbosa VM for forensic medicine, anthropologists, anatomists and et al. used percutaneous ulnar length to predict height in archeologists. English and Portuguese populations [22]. The stature of each person increases up to a Conflict of interest. The authors declare that particular age until puberty, and then decreases after a they have no conflict of interest concerning this article.

References 1. Madden AM, Tsikoura T, Stott DJ. The estimation of body height from ulna length in healthy adults from different ethnic groups. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2012;25(2):121-128. 2. Sheikhazadi A, Hassanzadeh G, Mokhtari T, Sheikhazadi E, Saberi Anary SH, Qoreishy M. JBS Journal. 2015; 2 (2): 121-128. 3. Mortezaee K, Sabbaghziarani F, Hassanzadeh G, Alaghbandha N, Dehbashipour A. Anthropometric features of body index in natives of Qazvin, Iran. Anatomical Sciences Journal. 2013; 10(3): 166-171. 4. Moshkdanian G, Zadeh SM, Moghani Ghoroghi F, Mokhtari T, Hassanzadeh G. Estimation of stature from the anthropometric measurement of lower limb in Iranian adults. Anatomical Sciences Journal. 2014; 3(44): 149-154. 5. Gauld LM, Kappers J, Carlin JB, Robertson CF. Height prediction from ulna length. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2004;46(7):475-480. 6. Agnihotri AK, Kachhwaha S, Jowaheer V, Singh AP. Estimating stature from percutaneous length of tibia and ulna in Indo-Mauritian population. Forensic Sci Int. 2009;187(1-3):109.e1-3. 7. Akhlaghi M, Hajibeygi M, Zamani N, Moradi B. Estimation of stature from upper limb anthropometry in Iranian population. J Forensic Leg Med. 2012;19(5):280-284. 8. Telkkä A. On the prediction of human stature from the long bones. Acta Anat (Basel). 1950; 9(1-2):103-117. 9. Lundy JK. The mathematical versus anatomical methods of stature estimate from long bones. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1985;6(1):73-76. 10. Mohanty BB, Agrawal D, Baisakh P, Samantsinghar P, Kumar S, Chinara PK. A study of different parameters of human extremities and its relationship with human height in residents of eastern India. Tanta Medical Journal. 2015; 43(1): 1-8. 11. Singh B, Kaur M, Kaur J, Singh M, Batra APS. Estimation of stature from forearm length in north Indians–An Anthropometric study. Int J App Basic Med Res. 2013; 3(1):201-204. 12. Yadav SK, Mandal BK, Karn A. Determination of stature from ulnar length in Nepalese population. Eur J Forensic Scie. 2015; 2(1): 5-8.

306 Romanian Journal of Legal Medicine Vol. XXIV, No 4(2016)

13. Mondal MK, Jana TK, Giri Jana S, Roy H. Height prediction from ulnar length in females: A study in Burdwan district of West Bengal (regression analysis). J Clin Diagn Res. 2012;6(8):1401-1404. 14. Krishan K, Sharma A. Estimation of stature from dimensions of hands and feet in a North Indian population. J Forensic Leg Med. 2007;14(6):327-332. 15. Sládek V, Macháček J, Ruff CB, Schuplerová E, Přichystalová R, Hora M. Population‐specific stature estimation from long bones in the early medieval Pohansko (Czech Republic). Am J Phys Anthropol. 2015. 16. Rani Y, Naik SK, Singh AK, Murari A. Correlation of stature of adult individual with the length of clavicle. Indian J Forensic Med Pathol. 2011; 33(3):194-196. 17. Menezes RG, Nagesh KR, Monteiro FN, Kumar GP, Kanchan T, Uysal S, Rao PP, Rastogi P, Lobo SW, Kalthur SG. Estimation of stature from the length of the sternum in South Indian females. J Forensic Leg Med. 2011;18(6):242-245. 18. Torimitsu S, Makino Y, Saitoh H, Sakuma A, Ishii N, Hayakawa M, Inokuchi G, Motomura A, Chiba F, Hoshioka Y, Iwase H. Stature estimation in Japanese cadavers based on scapular measurements using multidetector computed tomography. Int J Legal Med. 2015 Jan;129(1):211-218. 19. Celbis O, Agritmis H. Estimation of stature and determination of sex from radial and ulnar bone lengths in a Turkish corpse sample. Forensic Sci Int. 2006;158(2-3):135-139. 20. Cutler GB Jr. The role of estrogen in bone growth and maturation during childhood and adolescence. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 1997;61(3-6):141-144. 21. Nagesh K, Miranda AL. Estimation of stature from the percutaneous length of the tibia, ulna and radius in South Indian population. Indian J Forensic Med Pathol. 2011; 4(1): 9-13. 22. Barbosa VM, Stratton RJ, Lafuente E, Elia M. Ulna length to predict height in English and Portuguese patient populations. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2012;66(2):209-215.

307