Stature Estimation from Foot Length Measurements Among Young Adults at the Federal University of Technology Akure

Stature estimation from skeletal remains and body segment measurements is a foundational skill in forensic anthropology. Foot length has been demonstrated to have a strong positive correlation with stature and is particularly useful when only disarticulated lower limb bones or footwear impressions are available. However, regression equations derived from non-Nigerian populations may not yield accurate predictions for Nigerian subjects due to differences in body proportions. This study aims to establish regression equations for stature estimation from foot length measurements among young adults at the Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, South West Nigeria. A cross-sectional study involving 200 consenting undergraduate students will be conducted. Standing height will be measured using a stadiometer, while foot length will be measured from the posterior heel to the tip of the longest toe using a standard foot measuring board. Data will be analysed using linear and multiple regression analysis, with separate models generated for males and females. The expected outcome is a set of simple regression equations that can aid forensic investigators and anatomy educators in estimating stature from foot measurements within the Yoruba-dominant population of South West Nigeria.

Keywords: stature estimation, foot length, regression equation, forensic anthropology, Akure