Estimation of stature and sex from skull measurements by multidetector computed tomography in Chinese

Accuracy of sex estimation by morphometric evaluation of foramen magnum using computed tomography - a systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective of this study is to determine whether the morphometric evaluation of the foramen magnum using computed tomography can be used as an accurate tool in estimating the sex of an individual. An extensive search of the databases, PubMed, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and Scopus, was carried out to procure articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The AQUA tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies. A random effects model was used for the meta-analysis of the eligible studies using the STATA software, version 16, 2019 at 95% CI and p ≤ 0.05. Eleven eligible articles that measured the transverse and sagittal diameters of the foramen magnum using computed tomography were included in this study. The sagittal diameter of the foramen magnum was greater than the transverse diameter, and both the diameters were greater in males than in females. Meta-analysis revealed that both transverse and sagittal diameters were more reliable for male sex estimation. Since there is a dimensional variation between the male and female foramen magnum, it can be used for initial sex identification and also as an auxiliary to other advanced methods of sex estimation.

Cranio-facial bones evaluation based on clinical CT data for sex determination in Northwest Indian population

The skull and pelvis have been the first choice of bones for determination of unknown human remains. The goal of the present study was to derive discriminant function equations by using clinical CT scan data of cranio-facial bones for sex determination in Northwest Indian population. This study was conducted at Department of Radiology, by collecting the retrospective data of CT scan of 217 samples. In the data, 106 were males and 111 were females in the age group between 20 and 80 years. The total number of parameters under investigation were 10. All the selected variables were sexually dimorphic and showed significant values. 91.7% of original grouped cases were correctly classified to their sex category. The TEM, rTEM and R were under the acceptable limits. The univariate, multivariate and stepwise discriminant function analysis recorded an accuracy of 88.9%, 91.7% and 93.6% respectively. Multivariate direct discriminant function analysis stepwise method yielded the highest level of accuracy in differentiating males and females. All the variables reflected statistically significant difference between males and females (p less than 0.001). The best single parameter with highest level of sexual dimorphic trait was length of cranial base. This study aims to provide sex assessment using clinical data of CT scan in Northwest Indian population by incorporating the BIOFB cranio-facial parameter. The morphometric measurements taken on CT scan images can be utilized by forensic experts in identification process.

Estimation of sex based on patella measurements in a contemporary Chinese population using multidetector computed tomography: An automatic measurement method

Sex estimation is an important part of creating a biological profile, and ultimately assisting in creating a presumptive identification of unidentified skeletal remains. However, manual methods of anthropometric are time-consuming and prone to observer variability. The present study is an attempt to estimation of sex from automatic measurement of patella by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in a contemporary Chinese population. Four measurements for every patella, including maximum height (MAXH), maximum breadth (MAXB), maximum thickness (MAXT) and patellar volume (PV), were automatically provided by the software from CT image of 300 Chinese. The sample is composed of 156 males and 144 females with an average age of 41.44 and 45.68 years, respectively. The statistical analyses showed that all variables were sexually dimorphic. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to estimate sex from patella. The univariate analysis of each patellar parameter yielded a sex classification accuracy rate of 73.1% to 85.7%. The classification accuracy rates of sex estimation using the combination of the patellar parameters are 81.9% to 91.6%. This paper provides indications that the patella is important bone for sex estimation and it may be used as an alternative in forensic cases when the skull and pelvis are unavailable.