European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ESTIMATION OF STATURE USING FOOT AND SHOEPRINT LENGTH OF INDIAN POPULATION.

A. Swathi*

ABSTRACT

In Forensic Anthropology, estimation of stature from feet dimensions plays an important role in establishing individual‘s identity. Stature is one describing characteristic that is used. In the mid-1800s, Topinard developed a mathematical formula for estimating a person‘s height from a foot print (foot length: stature ratio) and determined this ratio to be 15%.Foot length displays a biological correlation with height that suggests the latter might be estimated from foot- or shoeprints when such evidence provides an investigator the best or only opportunity to gauge that aspect of a suspect's physical description. Estimation of height using foot and shoeprint length can be very useful information in the process of identification of individual in forensic cases based on shoeprint evidence. It can help to narrow down suspects and ease the police investigation. Besides, stature is important parameters in determining the partial identify of unidentified and mutilated bodies.It can help the problem encountered in cases of mass disaster, massacre, explosions and assault cases. This is because it is very hard to identify parts of bodies in these cases where people are dismembered and become unrecognizable. Anthropometry refers to the study and measurement of body dimensions.The measurements can be made using osteometric board and the shoeprints can be recorded using an oil-based ink.A portable stadiometer can also be used for recording the stature . Foot length measurement was measured from behind the heel to the longest part of the foot; usually either the first toe or the second toe. Parallel measurement was made for the foot length measurement and osteometric board was used for the foot length measurement. Shoeprints that was printed using oil-based ink were measured using parallel measurement for its length.

Keywords: anthropology, foot print, shoeprint, stadiometer, stature.