Stature and Sex Estimation Using Anthropometric Parameters in the Yoruba Ethnic Group of Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Anthropometry, a part of anthropology and forensic science, uses measurements to study human remains and identify unique biological traits. Estimating a person's height and sex from various body measurements was part of building a biological profile in forensic work. Aim: The study aimed to develop a stature estimation model using specific linear anthropometric parameters from the Yoruba ethnic group of Nigeria, with an emphasis on their application in the forensic context. Method:  A total of 400 subjects, (200 females and 200 males) between the ages of 18-40 years were recruited for the study. Standardized anthropometric techniques were used to measure the sitting height, sitting shoulder height, sitting knee height, sitting popliteal height, sitting hip breadth, and shoulder breadth. Data analysis was done using a statistical package for social sciences version 23.  Discriminant and multivariate regression were used to estimate sex and stature. A probability less than 0.05 (p<0.05) was considered statistically significant and 95% was denoted as confidence level. Results: The study shows that males have higher anthropometric values than females. The multivariate regression among the sexes to estimate stature using sitting height, sitting shoulder height, sitting knee height, sitting popliteal height, sitting hip breadth, and shoulder breadth shows (R=0.91, SEE= 3.50), the stature predictive power of male was (R= 0.83, SEM=3.64) and female stature (R= 0.86, SEM=3.09). The estimation for sex shows overall significance (X2=312.93, ƛ= 0.45, p<0.05). Conclusion: The study identified significant sexual dimorphism in sitting height, shoulder height, knee height, popliteal height, hip breadth, and shoulder breadth. The anthropometric parameters were good predictors of the sexes.