Predictive Accuracy of Bigonial Width and Mandibular Arch Length in Stature Estimation among Adult Indigenes of Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Estimation of stature is key in identifying a body, especially in forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology. Height estimates from various parts of the body are based on the knowledge that there is a proportional relationship between an individual’s height and their different body parts.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the predictive accuracy of mandibular measurements for estimating stature among adults in Cross River State, Nigeria.

Methods: The population of this study included students and non-students in three senatorial zones (Central, North, and South) of Cross River State, Nigeria. The sample consisted of 600 individuals: 300 males and 300 females aged between 18 and 45 years old. The data gathered was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 19.0.

Results: Sexual dimorphism was observed as the height, bigonial width, and length of the mandibular arch were significantly greater (p<0.01) in males than in females. The R² from the regression formulae developed in this study showed very low prediction powers (0.016 - 0.055), though significant, and the standard errors of the estimate showed wide individual-level prediction intervals (6-8 cm = 12-16 cm at 95% confidence).

Conclusion: The length of the mandibular arch and bigonial width should be used in conjunction with other variables for stature estimation for adults in Cross River State.