@2024 Afarand., IRAN

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ISSN: 1027-1457    Scientific Journal of Forensic Medicine 2020;26(4):221-226

Background
…[1-3]. Anthropology is a branch of medical science that includes length, weight, and body volume and can quantify the differences in the physical characteristics of individuals, such as the body shape and the differences between the genders [4].
Previous Studies
Identifying people who have died by suicide or natural disasters, wars, and massacres is an important duty of people working in physical anthropology and forensic medicine [5]. Height is one of the most influential components for identifying the identity of individuals [6]. ...[7, 8]. Craniofacial measurements are an important part of anthropology, determining the morphological features of the face and head [9]. The shape of the head and face depends on various factors such as gender, race, age, lifestyle, and genetic factors [10]. A range of regional, climatic, or racial data is available for diagnostic and therapeutic goals of the population [11]. According to previous studies, structural features of the human body are influenced by race, age, gender, and collective palate [8]. Indeed, these factors make the data of a population-specific to the same population and unusable for another population.
Aim(s)
This study aimed to estimate various variables such as length, width, and height of the skull and stature of medical students in Tehran University of Medical Sciences as a small community from different regions and climates of Iran and investigating the relationship between these variables.
Research type
This study is an experimental study.
Research society, place and time
This study was performed on medical students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (100 males and 100 females) with an age range of 18-26 in the summer of 2019.
Sampling method and number
Two hundred subjects were randomly selected, and the sample size was determined based on the previous studies.
Used devices&materials
Individuals with skeletal deformities or pathologically related changes were excluded from the study. The measurement was performed by a calibrated cephalometer with an accuracy of 0.5 mm (manufactured by "Unknown" company, Iran). An ethical license was obtained from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All measurements were performed in a standard anatomical position. In order to avoid bias, all measurements were performed by a skilled anthropologist. During the measurement, people sat on a chair, and their skull was in a horizontal position, and cranial length (direct distance from the glabella point to the most prominent point of the occipital bone), cranial width (direct distance between the most prominent parietal points on both sides), and cranial height (distance from the highest point of the skull to the ear canal) were measured (Figure 1). The Pearson correlation method was used to examine the statistical relationships between the variables. Also, the equivalence pattern of the relationship between variables was analyzed and reported by linear regression. Data were analyzed in SPSS 16 software, and the significance level was considered p≤0.05.
Findings by Text
The stature, cranial length, cranial width, and cranial height were 171.67±9. 9.11, 18.96±0.93, 15.41±0.61, and 15.24±0.70 cm, respectively. The difference between participating men and women in the variables of stature, cranial length, and cranial height was significant; however, no significant difference was observed between the two genders concerning the cranial width variable (Table 1). There was a significant relationship between statures and cranial height by the Pearson correlation test (r=0.455, p=0.0001). This significant relationship was seen in the male participants (r=0.241, p=0.016), but there is no significant relationship in the female participants (r=0.074, p=0.456). Also, there was no significant relationship between the variables of stature and cranial width in the statistical population (r=0.137, p=0.053) and male participants (r=0.170, p=0.091); however there was no significant relationship in the female participants (r=0.249, p=0.013) (Diagram 1). There was a significant direct relationship between statures and skull height among all participants (p=0.0001, r=0.318) and male participants (p=0.0001, r=0.560). However, this relationship between female participants (p=0.053 and r=0.194) was not significant (Figure 1). Based on the obtained results by linear regression, a significant relationship was observed between the two variables of stature and cranial height in all participants (p=0.0001) and male participants (p=0.016), but this relationship was not significant among women (0.465). Also, based on the results of linear regression, no significant relationship was observed between the two variables of skull height and cranial width in all participants (p=0.053) and men participants (p=0.091), but this relationship was significant among female participants (p=0.013). Based on the findings of linear regression, a significant relationship was observed between the two variables of skull height and stature in all participants (p=0.0001) and male participants (p=0.0001), but this relationship was not significant among women in the present study (p=0.053). If stature is considered an independent variable and skull length, width, and height are considered dependent variables, then the formula for obtaining the linear equations is Y=aX+b. The variables of this equation are given in Table 2.
Main comparison to the similar studies
In this study, the variables of stature, cranial length, cranial width, and cranial height were measured in 100 male and 100 female students in the same age group. There was a significant difference between stature (p=0.0001), cranial length (p=0.0001), and cranial height (p=0.044) between the two genders, but no significant difference was observed between the genders concerning cranial width (p=0.865). The Pearson correlation coefficient in the statistical population showed a significant relationship between the variables of cranial height and length and cranial height and stature (p=0.0001). Madadi et al. in 2018 showed a negative correlation between the horizontal series index and cranial length, a moderate positive correlation between the horizontal series index and cranial width, and a weak negative correlation between the horizontal series index and ear height [6]. In 2017, Mojaver Rostami et al. reported that men had higher average finger height and length than women and the statistical studies showed that gender was significantly associated with finger height and length. Also, the length of the third finger was more correlated with height than the other fingers [12]. In accordance with the results of the study of Oaks et al., the results of this study show a significant relationship between height and cranial width in women [14].
Suggestions
It is suggested that the variables of this study be examined in different races.
Limitations
There is no limitation.
Conclusions
The relationships between the various cranial components and the height of individuals make it possible to estimate height and ultimately determine the identity based on these variables.
Acknowledgments
The authors of this article would like to thank the participants in this study and the Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
Conflict of interest
No cases have been reported by the authors.
Ethical Permissions
The ethical code of IR.TUMS.MEDICINE.REC.1396.3501 was obtained from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
Funding Sources
This research has been retrieved from the thesis of Mostafa Nemati.

TABLES and CHARTS

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