Analysis of footprint and its parts for stature estimation in Indian population

Background: Most often, forensic podiatrists are called upon in crime scene investigations where pedal evidence is encountered at the crime scenes. The main aim of the forensic podiatrist is such case is to contribute towards the establishment of the identity of the suspects on the basis of the evidence. One form of the pedal evidence is footprints that are often recovered at the crime scenes. Estimation of stature from footprints forms a major parameter of personal identification in forensic examinations. Objectives: The main aim of the present study is to make stature estimation standards based on detailed analysis of length measurements of footprints in Indian population using statistical considerations. Methods: A sample of 100 young adults (50 males and 50 females) was included in the study conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India. Footprints were obtained from both the feet of each subject. Besides stature, five length measurements i.e. T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 were measured on both the footprints of each subject using international standards. Bilateral asymmetry in the measurements on footprints was calculated and tested using paired t-test. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated between stature and various footprint length measurements and the stature was estimated using linear and multiple regression analysis. Results: Our study observes a statistically significant sex difference (p<0.001) in the footprint length measurements between males and females in both right and left feet. A positive and strong correlation exists between various length measurements of the footprint and stature in both the sexes. Males show relatively higher values of correlation coefficients than females. Bilateral differences (right - left differences) were also observed in some of the footprint length measurements among males and females. Linear and multiple regression models are derived for estimation of stature from various footprint length measurements in males, females and for the pooled sample. Conclusions: The footprints can provide a reliable estimate of stature in forensic investigations. Sex specific regression models give a more accurate estimate of stature than the pooled sample.