The Stature Estimation Based on Cephalic Measurements in the Southwest Iranian Populations

Abstract

: Evaluating the correlation and driving the regression formula between stature and cephalic dimensions when skull remains can only be available for forensic examination have been the targets of scientists for many years. The present research aimed to make a cephalic measurements database, suggesting a regression formula for stature reconstruction and computation of the cephalic index for the Lur and Arab populations dwelling in the southwest of Iran. In this cross-sectional analytical study, three cephalic measurements, including maximum cephalic length (MCL), maximum cephalic breadth (MCB), maximum auricular head height (MAHH), and total height, were taken in 200 healthy students (100 males and 100 females, aged 18 - 30 years old) studying at Abadan University of Medical Sciences. Our findings revealed significant gender differences in all mean cephalic measurements (P ≤ 0.05). According to the prediction final model, MCB and MAHH are effective variables in stature estimation. The stature estimation equation for southwest Iranian males and females is stature = 51.77 + 3.47 MCB + 3.86 MAHH + 0.53 MCL. The computation of the cephalic index represented that most female subjects had mesocephalic (medium-headed) and most male subjects had brachycephalic (short-headed) cephalic categories. This study showed a significant correlation between cephalic dimensions and stature. The obtained regression formula of this study can be used in medico-legal subjects to diagnose the personal identity of a southwest Iranian corpse.