Stature and Sex Estimation Using Anthropometric Parameters in the Yoruba Ethnic Group of Nigeria
Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi a,b, Peter Done Okoh a, Loveday Ese Oghenemavwe a, Lekpa Kingdom David a, Michael Anozie Amadi c, Chile Augustine Oparaocha d, Celestine Ebieto Ebieto e and Faustina Chiamaka Irozulike a*
a Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, PMB 5323, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
b Nigerian British University, Kilometer 10, Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway, Asa, Abia State, Nigeria.
c Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, Pamo University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
d Department of Fine Arts and Design, Faculty of Humanities, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, PMB 5323, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
e Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, PMB 5323, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Citation: Fawehinmi HB, Okoh PD, Oghenemavwe LE, David LK, Amadi MA et al (2025) Stature and Sex Estimation Using Anthropometric Parameters in the Yoruba Ethnic Group of Nigeria. SciTech Medical-Pharmaceutical Sciences 2025.
Received: May 10, 2025 Accepted: May 12, 2025 Published: May 12, 2025
Abstract
Background: Forensic Anthropometry is a part of Physical Anthropology and Forensic Science, which 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 and sex 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 the 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 the 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.
Keywords: Forensics, Stature, Sex,Yoruba biological profile
