Abstract: Objective To promote the further research on body stature estimation and the innovative applications based on the distances between the anatomical landmarks on body torso surface. Methods A specification for the collection of distances between the anatomical landmarks on body torso surface was established. The data of 933 cases of adult population in Yangtze River Delta region were collected. Multiple linear regression method was used to statistical analyse and establish the regression equation of stature estimation. Results A regression equation about 5 variables including gender （x1）, cervical vertebrae-coccyx line （x2）, sterna-pubis line （x3）, distance between acromion and iliospinale anterius （x4） and shoulder breadth （x5）, and stature （y） was established, y=105.406+5.414 x1+0.436 x2+0.286 x3+0.225 x4+ 0.193 x5. Conclusion The method is suitable for the rapid, simple and accurate estimation of stature for the forensic experts.

Key words: forensic anthropology, body height, torso, sterna-pubis line, cervical vertebrae-coccyx line, distance between acromion and iliospinale anterius, shoulder breadth