Stature estimation from step length in different walking speeds

INTRODUCTION: Reliable identification is without doubt of importance in forensic cases. Several studies have been cited in the literature on the identification of the victims. However studies on the identification of the offender are limited. Foot prints available in the crime scene by the offender could be evaluated for identification if there is not any other evidence. The aim of the present study is to estimate stature from step length depending on the distance between foot prints. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study is conducted on 104 male and 102 female a total of 206 individuals. All the participants were either the students of Başkent University or the staff working for Başkent University. The participants with cardiopulmonary diseases or lower limb disabilities were not included to the study. Stature on body weight of all participants were measured and reported. In addition step length and stride length were taken for two different walking speeds. Walking speed were 3,3km/h and 5,3km/h for males, 2,7km/h and 4,7km/h for females. For both sexes after the individual started to walk on treadmill speed was increased gradually up to the first speed is reached and the participant wanted to walk at that speed for one minute. Later the speed of the treadmill was again gradually increased up to the second speed and the participant again wanted to walk for one minute. RESULTS: For female subjects statistically significant positive correlation was found between stature and step length and stride length, both for 2,7km/h and 4.7km/h (r = 0,334; r = 0,300, r = 0,344; r = 0,384 respectively). In males significant positive correlations between stature and step and stride lengths both for 3,3km/h and 5,3km/h. were also observed. (r = 0,327; r = 0,333; r = 0,260; r = 0,255. However, it was observed that the regression coefficients obtained from the step and stride length were very low. CONCLUSION: The results did not support the hypothesis of the study; regression equations and respected correlation coefficients calculated for stature estimation from step and stride lengths were too low. It could be concluded that step and stride lengths are not suitable independent variables for stature estimation. This study was approved by Başkent University Institutional Review Board and Ethics Committee (Project no: KA 18/149. Informed consents of the participants were taken and confidentiality of the results was quarantined).