International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume VI, Issue IV, April 2021|ISSN 2454-6194 www.rsisinternational.org Page 90 Stature Reconstruction from Measurements of Craniofacial Parameters: A Study of the Oro People of Akwa Ibom State Iboro E. Edet, Akpan U. Ekanem, Sunday O. Elijah, Kingsley A. Okon, and Mfonobong E. Sampson Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State – Nigeria DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6405 Abstract:- Stature prediction from craniofacial remains is vital in establishing the identity of an unknown individual in cases of natural calamities and archaeological exploration where complete skeleton is not available. This study aims to estimate stature among the Oro ethnic group in Akwa Ibom State using craniofacial parameters, hence determine the craniofacial parameter that best predict stature for the Oro people and therefore document a model formulae for stature prediction using Poisson regression analysis. The study assessed 500 subjects (245 males and 255 females) between the ages 18 - 77, with no craniofacial nor stature abnormality. Subject’s height were measured and regressed against their head circumference, facial breadth and facial height using a calibrated height rod, measuring tape and digital sliding caliper. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using MINITAB-18 data package. The results obtained showed that the mean height and standard deviation for both males and females were 163.912.9 and 163.012.6 respectively, thus, Oro males are taller than females. A strong positive correlation was observed between height and head circumference, facial breadth and facial height in both males and females, with facial breadth having the strongest positive correlation with height for both genders. The model formulae (regression equation) for stature prediction of Oro males is Y' = 4.6755 + 0.03609(facial breadth); for Oro females: Y' = 4.7193 + 0.03225(facial breadth) and for both: Y' = 4.6991 + 0.03404(facial breadth). It was concluded that facial breadth can be used to accurately estimate stature for the people of Oro tribe. Keywords: Head circumference, Facial Breath, Facial Height, Stature prediction, Regression equation, Oro. I. INTRODUCTION tature estimation is of immense important. It enables the anthropologists trace racial differences and variations, it helps the forensic practitioners solve medico-legal cases and the archaeologist carry out archaeological procedures which facilitates the process of sex, age and ancestry determination[1]. Body height derived from craniofacial dimension gives an indication on growth and development of an individual, exposing abnormality either in the shape or size of the cranial or facial region [2]. Bones of the cranium and face are very durable and easily recognizable part of the human skeleton. These makes them likely to survive postmortem taphonomic processes, thus, a complete biological profile could be deduce solely from the cranial and facial bone measurement to aid in the identification of an individual in cases of mass fatalities, where numerous persons were buried in a single burial pit or in cases of casualties involving multiple individuals with the same ancestry, sex or age. It provides a circumstantial identification, allowing the use of other methods for confirmation [3].A study of the Jatavs, measured the stature, nasal height and breadth, head height and breadth, and ear length found that there is a significant difference in the stature of Jatavs male from Jatavs female [4].The use of three head measurements- stature, head height and circumference and face height concluded that predicted body height are not different from actual body height [5].Using 150 subjects consisting of 107 males and 43 females ranging from 18 - 25 years, Tabrej et al. [6]concluded that estimation of body height from facial height is a supplementary approach when useful extremities sample and body part are not available for examination. Mansur et al. [7]reported that head circumference showed highly significant positive correlation with body height. A study on cephalic measurement to estimate stature on 300 subjects (150 males and 150 females) aged 18 - 25 concluded that stature could be estimated from crano-facial parameters using linear regression equation [8].Maxillofacial anthropometry in the form of head length and head breadth is a better predictor of stature if cephalofacial remains are brought for examination[1],[9],[10], [11], [12] [13], [14]. Using 14 different cephalofacial parameters, Agnihotriobserved that only three (facial breadth, head circumference, face length) emerged as major predictors of stature [15]. In the Nigerian population, the relationship between stature and cephalic dimensions found that cephalic dimensions correlated with stature and can be used to estimate stature when mutilated remains are brought for identification in Igbo ethnic group [16], in Ogoja local government area of Cross River State [17] and also in Ukwuani, Bini, Annang, Izon and Ikwere ethnic groups [18]. According to Krishan [19],the use of regression formulae derived in a specific population can under or overestimate stature when applied in another population; Hence, this study seeks to estimate the correlation between stature and craniofacial parameters and propose a model formula for stature estimation among the people of Oro ethnic group of Akwa Ibom State - Nigeria. S