STATURE ESTIMATION FROM HAND ANTHROPOMETRY AMONG TAGALOGS, AN INDIGENOUS ETHNIC GROUP IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR PERSONAL  IDENTIFICATION

Any forensic investigator aims to identify the individual through physical evidence found at crime

scenes. In the event of a natural disaster or manmade disaster, human body parts are found scattered in the

larger area. In this event, the initial investigation process starts with the estimation of stature and sex from

dismembered body parts. This research aimed to estimate stature from hand anthropometry among the

Tagalog population in the Philippines. The study recruited 360 adult Tagalog people, ages above 18 years

old, following the standard procedure. The sample collection was done by a student Mr Ivan Nikkimor in

the Philippines under the supervision of a Philippine Police Officer Mr Ariel and analysis was conducted at

Management and Science University (MSU), Malaysia. The materials used in this research include a

stadiometer, Digital vernier callipers, A4 size white papers and writing instruments. Following the standard

procedure, the height and hand length measurements were recorded. The data were analysed statistically

using SPSS software, version 23 and developed ten regression equations to estimate stature from various

hand lengths. The result shows that the correlation coefficient (R) values of males (0.57-0.69) and females

(0.57-0.68) are found to be similar. The standard error of estimate (SEE) is found to be lower in females (

3.93-4.98) than in males (4.95-5.83). The research findings were presented in the form of figures and

tables. The research concluded with the development of regression equations to estimate stature from hand

anthropometry among Tagalogs in the Philippines for crime scene application.

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