Stature estimation from handprint measurements: an application to the medicolegal investigation

Background The estimation of the stature of human beings is a major part of medicolegal investigation when only body parts are found. The study aimed to estimate the stature from different handprint measurements in a Bangladeshi population using statistical considerations. A sample of 200 young Bangladeshi adults (100 men and 100 women) with no physical disabilities participated in this study. Stature and seven anthropometric measurements were measured using standard anthropometric measurements. The bilateral asymmetry was tested using the independent t test. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R) between the stature and different handprint measurements was calculated. Consequently, the simple and multiple linear regression models were developed to estimate the stature from the handprint measurements. Results The bilateral asymmetry was statistically not significant (p > 0.05) in right and left handprints. Sex difference significantly (p < 0.05) influences the relationship between stature and handprint measurements. A positive and strong coefficient of correlation (R) value presents between stature and the handprint measurements. The right 2nd digit length in men (R = + 0.709, R2 = 0.502, SEE = ± 44.141 mm) and the right handprint length in women (R = + 0.552, R2 = 0.305, SEE = ± 49.074 mm) were the most reliable estimator of stature. However, when data were combined for both sexes, the right handprint length was identified as the most reliable estimator of stature with higher values of R (+ 0.777) and R2 (0.603), and a lower value of SEE (± 55.520). Multiple regression equation showed greater reliability than linear regression equations in stature estimation from handprint measurements in Bangladeshi population. Conclusions It was concluded that the estimation of stature from handprint measurements is possible and reliable. The findings of this study are very useful from the forensic and medicolegal point of view and can use to estimate the stature in Bangladeshi population.

Seasonal Impact of Heroin on Rabbit Carcass Decomposition and Insect Succession

This study investigates the succession of insects and the length of the decomposition of rabbit carcasses injected with heroin. In total, 24 rabbits (2–2.5 kg, Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus L.) were used in the study. Twelve carcasses were exposed to insect activity in winter (January and February) and 12 in summer (July and August) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Three replicate experiments were conducted in each season. For each experiment, three rabbits were injected with varying doses of heroin, and the fourth rabbit was used as a control, being injected only with saline solution. Insects belonging to the order Diptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera were attracted to the carcasses. In both of the investigated seasons, heroin appeared to delay the decomposition process but did not have a significant impact on the number of insects. In general, the number of flies in both seasons was substantially higher than that of beetles and ants. During the summer, flies were more attracted to treated carcasses with a higher dose of heroin. Some flies such as Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) and Chrysomya albiceps Wiedemann (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and some beetles such as Pimelia boyeri Solier (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) were represented on the carcasses by different developmental instars (larvae, pupae, and adults). Overall, heroin has not potential effects on the insect succession patterns of insect, however, influences the decomposition of rabbit carcasses. These findings are important while using insects in medicolegal investigation, since heroin is one of the common poisons used as an addictive agent.