Anthropometric study of the Orolabial Region of the Malay and Chinese Females.

Abstract

Anthropometry is a non-inexpensive technique for assessing the size, proportions and composition of the human body. Age and sex along with stature constitute the important criteria for establishing the identify of a human body. A person identification is one of the significant aspects of forensic investigation. Hand development especially the length of the index (2D) and ring (4D) fingers reflect the foetal exposure to testerone and oestrogen levels during pregnancy.The index and ring finger ratio is a sexually dimorphic trait and remains fairly stable postnatally. A higher androgen load results in lower 2D:4D ratio value. A low ration is considered to be masculinized while a high ratio is feminized. The present study aimed to explore how the ratio of index and ring finger length can be used to predict the sex and estimate the stature of an individual. This cross-sectional study which involved 150 (75 male and 75 female) medical students aged 19-23 years from UniKL RCMP. The height was measured as vertical distance by using Tresna sliding caliper. Data analysis was done by SPSS 17 using Pearson Correlation Coefficient and appropriate statistical test. There is a positive result with negative correlation between 2D:4D ratio and height. The mean ratio for male is significantly lower than female. This study reports a positive and statistically significant relation between index to ring finger ratio with stature and gender. Therefore, it can be concluded that it is possible to predict stature and gender 2D:4D ratio.