Background: In forensic analysis, the estimation of the stature is key in identification of an individual. The stature of an individual can be estimated from long bones especially the tibia and the femur as these have direct correlation to the height of an individual. The tibia is ideal in this application as it resists erosion and keeps its anatomical shape for long even after burial. Mechanical loading is especially high in the distal ends of long bones of the lower limb and as such they display significant inter-individual differences. The use of distal dimensions in estimation of the length of the tibia from skeletal remains has not been reported.Materials and methods: 150 dry and processed tibias irrespective of side, grossly normal and complete were randomly collected from a medical college of south India. Unossified bones, bones with diseases and injuries have been excluded.Results: In our study, the mean and standard deviation was calculated for each of the dimensions. The results were analysed with simple regression analysis. Pearson's coefficient determined for each parameter and tabulated. Simple linear regression equations were then deduced from the obtained data which would predict the expected maximum length of the bone from its various other parameters.Conclusion: Simple regression equations are deducted from the obtained data, which would predict the expected maximum length of the tibia from its various parameters.

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Background: Estimation of stature is one of the commonly used methods in forensic analysis to establish identity of individuals. Estimation of stature from fragments of long bones is done by deriving linear regression equations. The objective of the present study was to derive a simple regression equation for estimating length of the tibia using the morphometry of proximal end of tibia. Materials and methods: In this descriptive study carried out in the department of anatomy of a medical college, anthropometric measurements of proximal end of 150 dry human tibiae were collected irrespective of the sex and side. The parameters measured included the mediolateral length of the proximal end, the anteroposterior length of the medial and lateral condyle of tibia, anteroposterior length of the intercondylar area, and the circumference of proximal end of tibia. The measurements were done using Vernier calliper and measuring tape. Length of the tibia was estimated by using simple regression analysis. Results: The following linear regression equations were derived. Length of tibia can be calculated by, 29.2749 + (1.1925 × Mediolateral length) ±1.1926, 27.6418 + (2.333 × Anteroposterior length of lateral condyle) ±1.132, 21.8342+(3.2614 ×Anteroposterior length of medial condyle) ±1.328, 33.542 +(0.8952 × Anteroposterior length of intercondylar region) ±1.474, 23.1902 +(0.76379 × Circumference of proximal end) ± 1.134 Conclusion: The study revealed that there is a positive correlation between the measurements of proximal end of tibia and its length. The equation derived would help in forensic analysis to estimate the stature of an individual. KEY WORDS: Humans, Tibia, Linear Models, Forensic Anthropology, Body Height.