Height Estimation from Foot and Shoeprint Length

Abstract

Foot length displays a biological correlation with height that suggests the latter might be estimated from foot- or shoeprints when such evidence provides an investigator the best or only opportunity to gauge that aspect of a suspect's physical description. Previous utilization of percentages and linear regressions of foot length to make height estimates is reviewed and appraised, as is such use of shoeprints. Newly determined percentages and linear regressions for determining height from foot length for young adult males and females based upon very large U.S. Army anthropometric databases are presented and evaluated. Suggestions are made for the practical employment of shoeprint length, preferably as a direct measurement but also indirectly as a shoe size indicator, for height assessment.

Estimation of Stature using footprints in an adult student population in Nigeria

“…2 Accurate estimation from known parameters is a fundamental aspect of science and is evident as emerging approach in the area of footprints and stature estimation; 3 because foot length displays a biological correlation with stature that suggests the latter might be estimated from foot or shoe prints. 4 Morphology of human feet is greatly influenced by combined effects of heredity and living style of man that determines the size and shape of feet and footprints. 5 Therefore, careful examination of foot impressions in forensic examination can provide useful clues to establish personal identity whenever complete or partial foot prints are recovered at the crime scene and it can help in including and excluding possible presence of individuals at the crime scene.…”

“…Fawzy and Kamal 8 estimated stature from various foot print measurement among 50 male Egyptian medical students. Reel et al 4 sought to estimate stature from static and dynamic footprints among 61 adult males and females in the United Kingdom.…”

Estimation of stature from hand and foot dimensions in Hausa neonates: A hospital-based study

“…As such it is a valuable, but currently underused tool for guiding public health policies and clinical decisions (Ferro et al, 1993). Stature estimation from foot dimensions can be used in developing descriptions of suspects from evidences given by witnesses at the scene of crime (Giles and Vallandigham, 1991;Gordon and Buikstra, 1992). 'Stature' is one of the most important elements in the identification of an individual.…”

Walking through volcanic mud: the 2,100 year-old Acahualinca footprints (Nicaragua) II: the Acahualinca people, environmental conditions and motivation

“…Using a commonly accepted foot-length/ stature ratio of 15% (Giles and Vallandigham 1991), we estimate the height of the people to have ranged mostly from 1.29 to 1.58 m.…”

“…Slightly washed out imprints of deer print also occur in Pit I. Height of individuals is calculated based on footprint/stature ratio of 15% (Giles and Vallandigham (1991)) Most nonhuman impressions, however, are of small sticks, some more than 10 cm long (Fig. 10).…”