Stature and Sex Estimation Using Some Linear Anthropometric Parameters: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Igbo Ethnic Group of Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Forensic anthropology's core focus is identifying biological traits like sex, age, and height. This expertise is useful in several fields, including forensic science, anthropology, archaeology, and medical research. The study aims to formulate stature predictive models using shoulder breadth, sitting shoulder height, and knee height amongst the Igbo ethnic group of Nigeria. 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 shoulder breadth, sitting shoulder height, and sitting knee height. Data analysis used an International Business Machine Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS) 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. Result: The study shows that males have significantly higher anthropometric values than females. The multivariate regression among the sexes to estimate stature using shoulder breadth, sitting shoulder height, and sitting knee height shows (R=0.59, SEE= 6.81), the stature predictive power of male was (R= 0.44, SEE=6.27) and the female stature (R= 0.27, SEE=5 .75). The estimation for sex shows overall significance (X2=261.15, ƛ= 0.51, p<0.05). Conclusion: The study evaluated the sexual dimorphism of shoulder breadth, sitting shoulder height, and sitting knee height, which shows that males are significantly higher in anthropometric values than females and also the anthropometric parameters were good predictors of the sexes.