Anthropometry of hand in sex determination of dismembered remains - A review of literature

Sex determination is an important and one of the foremost criteria in establishing the identity of an individual. Identification of dismembered/severed human remains that are frequently found in cases of mass disasters and criminal mutilation is a challenging task for the medicolegal experts. The paper presents a review of anthropometric studies conducted on hand with regard to identification of the deceased from dismembered remains. The review further discusses the anthropometric landmarks, techniques, methods, reliability and accuracy and the overall significance of hand anthropometry in personal identification. This review is an attempt to discuss the sexual dimorphism exhibited by the anthropometry of the hand that can assist forensic experts in the identification of amputated/dismembered remains.