Pandey, N.; Phuyal, N.; Shrestha, A.; Pandeya, A.; Mishra, A. K.; Bhusal, K.

Background: Stature, a factor that helps in personal identification, can be estimated using measurements of various body parts. This study measured the length and breadth of hands and the height of the participants, aiming to estimate the stature from the dimensions of the hands. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 195 medical students aged 18 to 24 were enrolled, and it was carried out from 3rd November 2023 to 14th April 2024. Measurement of stature was taken by stadiometer, and hand length and breadth were taken by Vernier calliper. Results: Mean stature was higher in males (170.24{+/-}5.79 cm) as compared to females (159.01{+/-}7.261 cm). Mean length and breadth of both right and left hands were also found to be higher in males (Right hand length = 18.48{+/-}1.00 cm, Left hand length = 18.57{+/-}1.01 cm, Right hand breadth = 8.36{+/-}4.78 cm, and Left hand breadth = 8.26{+/-}5.03 cm) as compared with females (Right hand length = 16.861{+/-}0.96 cm, Left hand length = 16.897{+/-}0.95 cm, Right hand breadth = 7.31{+/-}0.58 cm, and Left hand breadth = 7.23{+/-}0.58 cm). The model summary of the multiple linear regression analysis deduced that R is .805, which indicates that there is a strong positive correlation between stature and hand dimensions with an Standard Error of Estimates of 5.083 cm and R2 of 0.648. Conclusion: This study was done on medical students, and it generated regression equations for estimation of stature by taking into account hand length and hand breadth. There was a positive correlation between hand dimensions and stature estimation. Similar studies can be done in the future, taking a larger population size and participants from various age groups to see if there is an influence of age factor in stature estimation.