Abstract

Introduction:
Footprints usually reveal the different features of the foot, and can be left behind at crime scenes. A correlation exists between footprint measurements and stature. The aim of this study was to estimate stature from footprint dimensions among Ukwuani People of South-South Nigeria.
Materials and Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study of 400 Primary and Secondary school teachers of Ukwuani ethnic group sampled systematically. Stature was measured in centimeter. The footprint was made on a clean white paper placed on a flat surface, and footprint length of all five toes, maximum and minimum footprint widths were measured in centimeter. Data analysis was done using SPSS 23. T-test, linear and multiple regression analyses were applied. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
Results:
The dimensions were significantly higher in males compared to females in the cases of height, big toe length print, second toe length print, maximum footprint width and minimum footprint width (p<0.05), while in third toe length print, fourth toe length print and fifth toe length prints, sex differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Sex differences exist in most measurements studied.
Conclusion:
Footprint dimensions have a relationship with height, and can be used to derive stature in medico-legal setting in human identification.