Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Stature is a key biological attribute in personal identification and remains a fundamental aspect of forensic investigations. Although long bones are preferred for stature estimation because of their strong correlation with height, they are often unavailable due to fragmentation or incomplete skeletal remains. This study aimed to develop stature estimation equations for South Africans of European descent using metacarpal measurements. The sample comprised 52 male and 50 female complete skeletons from the Raymond A. Dart Collection of Human Skeletons. Stature was calculated using Fully’s method, and five metacarpal dimensions were recorded with acceptable technical errors of measurement. All metacarpal measurements displayed significant sexual dimorphism, with males showing larger mean values than females, except for the base heights of the third (BH-M3) and fourth (BH-M4) metacarpals, which did not differ significantly between the sexes. Correlations between stature and metacarpal measurements ranged from weak-to-moderate in males (r = 0.23–0.39) and moderate in females (r = 0.34–0.59). Ten univariate and multivariate regression models were generated, with female models producing lower standard errors of estimate (SEE = 5.0-6.1 cm) than male models (SEE = 6.1–6.6 cm), indicating greater predictive accuracy in females. These findings demonstrate that metacarpal measurements can provide reasonably accurate stature estimates in South Africans of European descent and may serve as useful additions to existing forensic stature estimation methods.</p>