Background and aims: Stature is a critical and consistent anthropometric parameter used in personal identification, particularly in forensic investigations involving unidentified remains from mass disasters, criminal incidents, or accidents. Accurate estimation of stature is essential in such contexts. A well-documented correlation exists between stature and various skeletal dimensions, especially those of long bones, which are commonly used to formulate regression models due to their high predictive reliability. Recently, the sternum – a centrally located, flat bone in the thoracic skeleton – has attracted forensic attention due to its robust nature and pronounced sexual dimorphism. Notably, sternal measurements have been shown to correlate positively with stature, providing an alternative method for estimating stature. Methods: This study analyses sternal measurements to estimate stature in a forensic context, using data from 200 medico-legal autopsy cases comprising 100 males and 100 females aged 21 to 80 years. Results: Findings indicate that males have significantly greater values in body length (LB), manubrium length (LM), and mesosternum length (LMS), with mean measurements of 158.14 cm, 4.38 cm, and 10.09 cm, respectively. Interestingly, total sternal length (TSL) was similar across genders, at 14.89 cm in males and 14.26 cm in females, highlighting potential differences in developmental biology. Moderate correlations were observed between each sternal parameter and stature, with the TSL exhibiting the strongest linear relationship in both sexes. Conclusion: The study confirms that sternal dimensions, particularly TSL, are reliable indicators of stature. Linear regression equations were derived for males, females, and combined datasets, thereby reinforcing the forensic applicability of the sternum.
Keywords: Stature; sternal bone measurements; linear regression equations.