Introduction

Sex determination is the vital part of identification, which is often required in medico-legal practice. The problem of identification mainly arises when the body is recovered in advanced stage of decomposition, mutilated state, fragmented remains and skeletanized form. There are lots of researches going on for assessing stature, sex, race, etc from anthropometric measurements of different parts of body for identification purpose. Many physical anthropometric studies show the gender difference₁, ₂, ₃.

The present study has been conducted to find out co-relation of hand dimensions with sex (male/female).

Methodology

The study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, SSR Medical College, Mauritius in the year 2005. The material consisted of 250 young and healthy students (125 males and 125 females) in the age group of 18-30 years. The hand length was measured as straight distance between distal crease of wrist joint and the most anterior projecting point i.e. tip of middle finger. The breadth of hand was measured as straight distance from the most laterally placed point on the hand of 2^nd metacarpal to the most medially placed point located on the head of 5^th metacarpal. The measurements were taken by using anthropometric sliding and spreading calipers, and measuring tape.

Similar to foot index₄, the hand index was calculated by dividing the hand breadth by hand length and multiplied by 100. The data were statistically analyzed to determine sex by measurements of hand.

Results

Hand length

In males, the right hand length varied from 15.30cm to 21.00cm (mean 18.89cm & SD 0.88) and left hand length varied from 15.40cm to 20.08cm (mean 18.90cm & SD 0.87). In females, the right hand length varied from 14.80cm to 20.40cm (mean 17.22cm & SD 0.92) and left hand length varied from 14.80cm to 20.40cm (mean 17.22cm & SD 0.93).(Table1)

Figure 1

Table 1: Measurements (cm) of Hand Length in Males and Females (n=250)

Hand breadth

In males, the right hand breadth varied from 7.30cm to 9.40cm (mean 8.45cm & SD 0.40) and left hand breadth varied from 7.20cm to 9.40cm (mean 8.42cm & SD 0.40). In females, the right hand breadth varied from 6.70cm to 8.80cm (mean 7.48cm & SD 0.38) and left hand breadth varied from 6.60cm to 8.70cm (mean 7.42cm & SD 0.37).(Table 2)

Figure 2

Table 2: Measurements (Cm) of Hand Breadth in Males and Females (n=250)

Hand index

In males, the hand index ranged from 44.02 (18-19 yrs) to 45.05 (19-20 yrs). In females, it ranged from 42.65 (more than 22 yrs) to 43.79 (18-19 yrs). (Table 3 & 4)

Figure 3

Table 3: Age Wise Distribution of Hand Index in Males (n=125)

Figure 4

Table 4: Age Wise Distribution of Hand Index in Females (n=125)

Discussion

Sometimes, fragments of soft tissues are found disposed off in the open, in ditches, or rubbish dumps, etc. and this material is brought to forensic pathologist for examination₅. One of the important objectives of examination is identification. In our study, we tried to establish the co-relation between hand index and sex. Males had an average hand length and breadth about 1cm greater than the females' hand length and breadth. These findings were consistent with the study conducted by Kodak₆. In all age groups, the hand index in males was found to be more than 44, and in females, it was less than 44. Therefore, this value i.e. 44 can be used as deviation point for the determination of sex. Thus the present study indicates a positive correlation between an individual's hand dimensions and gender. Thus sex can be determined by hand index with fair accuracy. Further researches are needed in this field.

Acknowledgement

Correspondence to

Dr. Arun Kumar Agnihotri House No. 4, Malherbes Street Curepipe, Mauritius Email: agnihotri_arun@hotmail.com