Sex Determination from Hand Dimensions in a South Indian Population

Abstract

The aim of this research was to generate a standard formula for estimating sex in the South Indian population from
hand anthropometric measurements. Sex is one most important and foremost criteria in establishing the identity of
an individual. The present study comprised a sample of 300 healthy individuals (150 males and 150 females). The
databases for Hand Length, Hand Breadth and Hand index were analysed using IBM SPSS (Statistical Package for
Social Sciences, Version 20.0) computer software. The issue of sex discrimination can be very complicated in cases
of intersex, bodies in an advanced state of putrefaction, mutilated & fragmentary remains in which it is common
to recover dismembered & peripheral parts of the body. It was realized that anthropometric measurements of
the hand have been a very useful tool in sexual identification. Hand length and hand breadth show statistically
significant male – female differences at p < 0.0001. Hand Breadth was found as best predictor of sex in comparison
with hand length. Sectioning point confirms that cut-off point below and equal to 44 is suggestive of male hand
whereas those above 44 were considered as female hand.