Middle Finger Length: A Predictor of Stature and Gender in a Sample of Egyptian Medical Students - Faculty of Medicine-Ain Shams University

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Identification is one of the cornerstones in forensic investigations. Prediction of 
stature represents a vital parameter for reaching the partial identification of an unidentified body; 
moreover, gender determination of the body can exclude half of the population. Aim of the 
study: To assess the middle finger length as a predictor of stature and gender. Methods:
cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of medical students who attended the 
Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams 
University, after obtaining ethical clearance from the ethical committee. Data on age, gender, 
height, and middle finger length were collected. Results: The total number of participants in this 
study was 200 (100 males and 100 females) aged from 18 to 25 years. There was a positive 
correlation between middle finger length (MFL) and stature in both males and females. As 
regards gender determination, the most sensitive variable was left middle finger length (L MFL) 
with 100% sensitivity (and the most specific and accurate test was right middle finger length (R 
MFL) with 65% specificity. Conclusion: The study of middle finger length can help in stature 
and gender estimation among the Egyptian population.
Received in original form: 4 November 2022 Accepted in a final form: 10 January 2023

Keywords