Estimation of Stature From Index, Middle, and Ring Finger Lengths Among Misrake Ghion College Students, Northeast Ethiopia.

Abstract

Introduction: Stature is an individual's natural height in an upright standing position. This anthropometric measurement is important for determining an individual's physical identity.

Objectives: To estimate stature from the index, middle, and ring fingers' length in Misrake Ghion College students.

Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted among Misrake Ghion College students from December 20, 2021, to March 15, 2022. The study included 316 participants (160 males and 156 females) aged 18 to 25 years from the Amhara ethnic group. Stature and finger length were measured using a stadiometer and a nonelastic measuring tape, respectively. Data were entered into EPIData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. The strength of the relationship was examined using correlation analysis. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. A paired sample t-test was conducted, and simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to formulate equations.

Results: Stature had a significant positive correlation with the lengths of the index, middle, and ring fingers in both males and females. Combined, stature showed a strong correlation with the left middle finger (r = 0.739), followed by the right ring finger (r = 0.692). Stepwise regression analysis showed strong correlations with the left middle finger in males (r = 0.636) and females (r = 0.648). Simple and multiple regression equations were developed for each gender.

Conclusion: This study concluded that the length of the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger can be used to estimate the stature of an Ethiopian individual in the field of forensic science and related medical sciences.