Metatarsals in the estimation of stature in South Africans

Abstract 

To date, only one study has investigated the potential of metatarsals in the estimation of stature for forensic purposes. The morphology of these bones from clinical and paleontological perspectives is well researched in different parts of the world including South Africa. The present study aimed at assessing the usefulness of metatarsals of South Africans in the estimation of stature. For this study, 226 complete skeletons obtained from the Raymond A. Dart Collection were used in the formulation of univariate and multivariate regression equations from six linear measurements of metatarsals. The standard error of estimate for these equations was lower than that obtained for fragments of long bones and other skeletal elements studied so far for stature estimation in South Africans with the exception of intact long bones. Therefore, regression equations presented in this study can provide a reliable estimate of stature in cases where intact long bones are not available for forensic analysis.

Keywords: Stature, Metatarsals, South Africa, Forensic anthropology