From skulls to soles: Cranial and anthropometric correlations in forensic analysis

Objectives: Understanding the link between skull thickness, body length, and foot length is important in forensic anthropology for sex estimation, stature prediction, and trauma analysis. Skull thickness varies across individuals and anatomical landmarks, making population-specific data valuable for forensic applications. Materials and Methods: In this study, 127 medicolegal autopsy cases (94 males and 33 females) conducted over a 1-year period at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, India, were included. Measurements recorded included head circumference (52.592 ± 2.484 cm), body length (164.574 ± 8.196 cm), and foot length (9.486 ± 0.801 cm). Skull bone thickness was assessed at key anatomical sites, including the frontal and parietal eminences, pterion, and occipital prominence. Statistical analysis: Statistical analysis revealed significant sex-based differences in body length ( P < 0.001), foot length ( P < 0.001), head circumference ( P = 0.012), and left frontal bone thickness, which was greater in females ( P = 0.006). Results: Males showed significantly greater body length, foot length, and head circumference compared to females ( P < 0.001). Females had significantly thicker left frontal eminence, with no other cranial thickness differences between sexes. Conclusions: These findings reinforce the forensic relevance of cranial measurements and contribute to more accurate, population-specific anthropological assessments.