Background: Upper limb dimension and ethnic variation according to surface anatomical landmarks is applicable for personal identification and ethnic assumption in forensic medicine. The present study aimed to measure and evaluate a comprehensive reference of the upper limb anthropometric dimensions of young female Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba population in Nigeria.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, the anthropometric dimensions of the upper limb, including arm length, forearm length, arm span, elbow breadth and wrist breadth of 1500 Nigerian female young adults aged 16 - 34 years, were measured according to surface anatomical landmarks. We divided the collected measures into two categories for married (9.8%) and single (90%). Ethnic variation was carried out by comparing the mean value using ANOVA, the ethnic variations were validated according to the test group.

Result: All upper limb measurements were potent to determine ethnic differences, with mean values for the arm length for Hausa (35.24±0.12), Igbos (33.55±0.17) and Yoruba (31.85±0.16): forearm hand length for Hausa (35.24±0.12), Igbos (33.55±0.17) and Yoruba (31.85±0.16): arm span for Hausa (35.24±0.12), Igbos (33.55±0.17) and Yoruba (31.85±0.16): elbow breadth for Hausa (35.24±0.12), Igbos (33.55±0.17) and Yoruba (31.85±0.16): and wrist breadth for Hausa (35.24±0.12), Igbos (33.55±0.17) and Yoruba (31.85±0.16).

Conclusion: Ethnic differences of female the upper limbs dimension were observed, these findings can improve on the field forensic investigation and clinical trials.