Different methods for estimating height in a Filipino sample: forensic implications

Abstract

Height is one of the most useful physical characteristics in making forensic identifications. This study compared measured height, self-reported height and relative-reported height and determined their consistency and validity when applied in a forensic context. Height data from 199 male and 201 female volunteers (18 to 25 years old) in Diliman, and 100 missing persons/victims (18 to 54 years old) of typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban, Philippines, were gathered and analysed statistically. Overestimation in height self-reported (0.02 cm in males and 1.26 cm in females) and relative-reported (0.08 cm in males and 1.60 cm in females) was observed, although it was statistically significant in females only (p < 0.05). Self-reported and relative-reported height estimations were observed to tend towards the average, where the height of short individuals was usually overestimated and the height of tall individuals was usually underestimated. It was observed that self-reported and relative-reported heights were statistically consistent in both sexes. Self-reported height is the typical source of data in forensic cases, and the results of this study show that relative-reported height is valid and reliable when self-reported height is unavailable.

Keywords:

• forensic anthropology
• height
• stature
• human identification
• self-report
• relative-report

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Philippine National Police and University of the Philippines Vice Chancellor Dr Nestor T. Castro.