CONTEMPORARY MORPHOMETRIC MODELING OF HUMERAL FRAGMENTS FOR STATURE ESTIMATION IN A SOUTH ASIAN POPULATION
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Keywords
Humeral morphometry; Forensic anthropology; Stature estimation; Bone fragments; Regression models; South Asian population; Osteometric analysis.
Abstract
Accurate stature estimation from skeletal remains is a cornerstone of forensic anthropology, yet population-specific data for fragmentary humeri remain scarce in South Asian contexts. This study aims to develop and validate regression models for predicting total humeral length from key anatomical segments in a contemporary Indian population, enhancing forensic and archaeological identification protocols.
Materials and Methods: A total of 100 dry adult humeri (50 left, 50 right) were measured using an osteometric board and vernier calipers. Six morphometric parameters were recorded: humeral length (HL) and five segmental measurements (HA to HE). Pearson correlations and simple linear regression analyses were performed side-specifically using SPSS v28.0.
Results: Mean humeral length was 302.4 ± 18.7 mm (left) and 308.9 ± 19.2 mm (right). Significant correlations with HL were observed for left HD (r=0.412), HC (r=0.389), and HB (r=0.356), and for right HB (r=0.458). Regression equations were derived, such as left HL = 285.2 + 0.62×HD and right HL = 289.1 + 0.52×HB, with R² values ranging from 0.14 to 0.21.
Conclusion: The study provides population-specific regression models for humeral fragment reconstruction, demonstrating moderate predictive utility and low variability. These findings contribute to more accurate stature estimation in forensic and bioarchaeological investigations within South Asian populations and underscore the need for sex-stratified and imaging-based validations in future research.
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G. Mahalinga
Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, SVS Medical College and Hospital, Mahabubnagar, Telangana.
I Edward
Assistant professor, Department of Anatomy, Mamata medical college, Khammam, Telangana.
Venkateshwarlu Yadavalli
Assistant professor, department of Anatomy, Father colombo institute of medical sciences, warangal, Telangana.
Nagaraj S
Professor, Department of Anatomy, SVS Medical College and Hospital, Mahabubnagar, Telangana.
M Venkateshwar Reddy
Professor & HOD, Department of Anatomy, SVS Medical College and Hospital, Mahabubnagar, Telangana 509001, India.
