Abstract

Background: Craniofacial anthropometry measures the head and face, useful in fields like forensic science and plastic surgery. Nasofacial measurements show sexual dimorphism and stability during growth, aiding identification. Facial features differ between males and females due to sex hormones, with males having larger dimensions. Nasofacial parameters correlate with body height, helping with stature estimation in forensic contexts.
Aim: To determine the potential forensic and clinical implications of nasofacial parameters amongst the Okirika tribe.
Materials and Method: This study measured nasofacial parameters in 450 Okirika indigenes (245 males, 205 females) aged 18years and above. Exclusion criteria included nasofacial abnormalities or previous surgeries. Measurements included nasal length, width, facial length, and width using a digital vernier caliper. Height and weight were measured using a stadiometer and weighing scale respectively. Nasal index and body mass index were calculated. This study used the R programming for data analysis, using descriptive statistics and independent t-tests to investigate sex differences. Pearson's correlation coefficients assessed relationships between nasofacial measurements and stature. Level of significance was set at p-value<0.05.
Results:The study included 450 participants (54.5% males, 45.5% females). Males were significantly taller than females (mean height = 1.55 ± 0.12 m vs. 1.52 ± 0.10 m; p = 0.002).Males were found to significantly have greater nasal length (44.8 ± 8.43 mm vs 43.6 ± 8.48 mm, p = 0.0461) and facial width (116.0 ± 70.3 mm vs 108.0 ± 17.1 mm, p = 0.00871) compared to females. Facial length was higher in males but not statistically significant (p = 0.0562). Nasal index was marginally higher in females, indicating broader noses, but without statistical significance. Females had a higher body mass index (BMI) than males (31.1 vs 29.1 kg/m², p = 0.006). Nasal width (NW) and nasal index (NI) showed significant positive correlations with stature(r = 0.146, p = 0.002 and r = 0.106, p = 0.024, respectively). Individuals with wider noses or higher nasal indices tended to be taller. Other parameters like nasal length, facial length, and facial width didn't show significant correlations with height.
Conclusion: This study determined nasofacial anthropometric parameters in the Okrika population, revealing sexual dimorphism and correlations between nasal width and index with stature. These findings provide essential data for forensic identification and clinical applications, highlighting the importance of population-specific standards.