Stature Determination from Ring Finger Length: A Study from South India

Establishment of identity of the person when only dismembered body parts are available is a great challenge to the forensic expert. To narrow down the identification process certain physical characters have to be established and one of them is stature. The present study attempts to determine stature from ring finger length. Length of ring finger was measured of 200 individuals (100 males & 100 females) belonging to Mysore district, Karnataka, India aged between 21 and 30 years. Measurements of ring finger length (RFL) were recorded using a Vernier caliper and the individual height (stature) was recorded using an anthropometric rod and the data was subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS software. Mean stature was significantly higher in males than females. Mean RFL on right and left sides was 9.37 cm and 9.32 cm in males and 8.75 cm and 8.68 cm in females respectively. Mean RFL was greater in males than females of both hands. Statistically significant correlation was observed between stature and Ring finger length of both hands. Pearson correlation (r) for stature and finger lengths was higher among females than males. Independent linear regression equations to calculate the height was formulated in males & females separately.