| Summary: | Background: Sex determination using human commingled remains is one of the most important components in forensic identification.
Aim: Getting a reliable and accurate method for sex determination through hand dimensions among Saudi population.
Subjects and methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on 600 volunteers. Hand length, breadth and hand index, also index and ring finger ratio were estimated.
Results: The average hand length, breadth and index were found to be 1.3, 0.96 and 2.93 cm greater in males than females, respectively (p < 0.05), with no significant difference between right and left hand in the same sex. A cut-off point index of ⩽41.23 for the right hand and of ⩽41.30 for the left hand is suggestive of the female sex, while that of >41.23 for right hand and >41.30 for left hand is suggestive of male.
The index and ring finger ratio is found to be higher in females than males. Index and ring finger ratio ⩽0.920 for the right hand and ⩽0.913 for the left hand suggestive of male while Index and ring finger ratio <0.920 for the right hand and <0.913 for the left hand suggestive of female.
Conclusion: By using the anthropometric measurements of hand dimensions, sex can be estimated with a high accuracy. It is, therefore, an important tool to be included in forensic identification when a hand is detected at the scene in mass disasters and criminal situations.
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