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.

Reliability of gender determination from paranasal sinuses and its application in forensic identification-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review aims to determine whether linear or morphometric analysis of paranasal sinuses can be used for accurate determination of gender and to appraise which sinus can be evaluated for accurate gender determination.A comprehensive search of the specialized databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Science Direct, Clinical Key, ProQuest, Google Scholar, Epistomonikos, LILACS, OpenGrey) and other institutional repositories was performed for including the studies which assessed paranasal sinuses for gender determination. Quality assessment was carried out with the AQUA tool. The meta-analysis was performed with the eligible study data at 95% CI and p ≤ 0.05 in the random-effects model.Forty-six studies evaluating frontal sinus (13), maxillary sinus (26), frontal and maxillary sinus (5), or three paranasal sinuses (2) were included. All the included studies assessed height, length, width, and volume, respectively, and other additional parameters (area, perimeter) if wherever applicable. Frontal sinus had significantly higher values for males compared to females except for left height (LH) and left volume (LV). Maxillary sinus measurements were significantly higher in males contrasted to females except for LH. Sub-group analyses revealed that analyses involving the population had statistically significant results for all the measured parameters for both the sinuses (p < 0.05 and p = 0.00, respectively).Measurements obtained from assessing sinuses reveal that there are variations in size, among populations in different geographic regions. Hence, more studies with improved sample sizes and standardized measurement protocols should be carried out on different populations to see the diversity and their reliability.

Sex determination from lateral cephalometric radiographs using an automated deep learning convolutional neural network.

Purpose: Despite the proliferation of numerous morphometric and anthropometric methods for sex identification based on linear, angular, and regional measurements of various parts of the body, these methods are subject to error due to the observer's knowledge and expertise. This study aimed to explore the possibility of automated sex determination using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) based on lateral cephalometric radiographs. Materials and Methods: Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 1,476 Iranian subjects (794 women and 682 men) from 18 to 49 years of age were included. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were considered as a network input and output layer including 2 classes (male and female). Eighty percent of the data was used as a training set and the rest as a test set. Hyperparameter tuning of each network was done after preprocessing and data augmentation steps. The predictive performance of different architectures (DenseNet, ResNet, and VGG) was evaluated based on their accuracy in test sets. Results: The CNN based on the DenseNet121 architecture, with an overall accuracy of 90%, had the best predictive power in sex determination. The prediction accuracy of this model was almost equal for men and women. Furthermore, with all architectures, the use of transfer learning improved predictive performance. Conclusion: The results confirmed that a CNN could predict a person's sex with high accuracy. This prediction was independent of human bias because feature extraction was done automatically. However, for more accurate sex determination on a wider scale, further studies with larger sample sizes are desirable.

A fully automated sex estimation for proximal femur X-ray images through deep learning detection and classification.

PURPOSE: To develop a fully automated deep learning pipeline using digital radiographs to detect the proximal femur region for accurate automated sex estimation. METHOD: Radiograph predictive features from 2122 Chinese Han clinical pelvic with ages ranging from 18 to 26 years were collected retrospectively to train and test the sex prediction model using deep machine learning's convolutional neural networks (CNN). Model performance was assessed using a Chinese Han population with 361 samples and a white population with 50 samples. The average accuracy of the sex estimation of the two test datasets was determined. RESULTS: For the Chinese Han population test dataset, the sex estimation accuracy was 94.6% (males: 93.9% and females: 94.7%). For the white population samples, the accuracy of sex estimation was 82.9% (males: 80.9% and females: 88.6%). The accuracy of CNN tested in the Chinese population was significantly higher than that tested in the White population (p < 0.001) CONCLUSIONS: The model based on convolutional neural networks has an accuracy similar to that of current state-of-the-art mathematical functions using manually extracted features for the Chinese Han population samples, proving to be a reliable choice for the human sex estimation.

Morphometric analysis of the inter-mastoid triangle for sex determination: Application of statistical shape analysis.

PURPOSE: Sex determination can be done by morphological analysis of different parts of the body. The mastoid region, with its anatomical location at the skull base, is ideal for sex identification. Statistical shape analysis provides a simultaneous comparison of geometric information on different shapes in terms of size and shape features. This study aimed to investigate the geometric morphometry of the inter-mastoid triangle as a tool for sex determination in the Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The coordinates of 5 landmarks on the mastoid process on the 80 cone-beam computed tomographic images (from individuals aged 17-70 years, 52.5% female) were registered and digitalized. The Cartesian x-y coordinates were acquired for all landmarks, and the shape information was extracted from the principal component scores of generalized Procrustes fit. The t-test was used to compare centroid size. Cross-validated discriminant analysis was used for sex determination. The significance level for all tests was set at 0.05. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the mastoid size and shape between males and females (P<0.05). The first 2 components of the Procrustes shape coordinates explained 91.3% of the shape variation between the sexes. The accuracy of the discriminant model for sex determination was 88.8%. CONCLUSION: The application of morphometric geometric techniques will significantly impact forensic studies by providing a comprehensive analysis of differences in biological forms. The results demonstrated that statistical shape analysis can be used as a powerful tool for sex determination based on a morphometric analysis of the inter-mastoid triangle.

Sex determination by radiographic localization of the inferior alveolar canal using cone-beam computed tomography in an Egyptian population.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible differences in the location of the inferior alveolar canal in male and female Egyptians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional retrospective study involved the evaluation of 210 CBCT scans of Egyptian individuals (18-70 years old). The inferior alveolar canal was localized by measuring 8 linear dimensions: 2 for the vertical localization of the mental foramen (superior and inferior to the mental foramen), 4 at the first molar bifurcation for the vertical and horizontal localization of the inferior alveolar canal (superior, inferior, buccal, and lingual to the inferior alveolar canal), and 2 for the horizontal localization of the mandibular foramen (anterior and posterior to the mandibular foramen). The measurements were statistically analyzed via comparative analysis, stepwise logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Six of the 8 measured distances differed to a statistically significant extent between the sexes. Regression analysis suggested a logistic function with a concordance index of 84%. The diagnostic accuracy capabilities of the linear measurements as sex predictors were calculated using ROC analysis, and the 6 best predictors for sex determination were selected and ranked from highest to lowest predictive power. Moreover, combining these 6 predictors increased the predictive power to 84%. CONCLUSION: The location of the inferior alveolar canal in the Egyptian population varies significantly by sex; accordingly, this anatomic landmark could be used as a reliable indicator of sexual dimorphism.

Comparison of data mining algorithms for sex determination based on mastoid process measurements using cone-beam computed tomography.

PURPOSE: The mastoid region is ideal for studying sexual dimorphism due to its anatomical position at the base of the skull. This study aimed to determine sex in the Iranian population based on measurements of the mastoid process using different data mining algorithms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on 190 3-dimensional cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images of 105 women and 85 men between the ages of 18 and 70 years. On each CBCT scan, the following 9 landmarks were measured: the distance between the porion and the mastoidale; the mastoid length, height, and width; the distance between the mastoidale and the mastoid incision; the intermastoid distance (IMD); the distance between the lowest point of the mastoid triangle and the most prominent convex surface of the mastoid (MF); the distance between the most prominent convex mastoid point (IMSLD); and the intersecting angle drawn from the most prominent right and left mastoid point (MMCA). Several predictive models were constructed and their accuracy was compared using cross-validation. RESULTS: The results of the t-test revealed a statistically significant difference between the sexes in all variables except MF and MMCA. The random forest model, with an accuracy of 97.0%, had the best performance in predicting sex. The IMSLD and IMD made the largest contributions to predicting sex, while the MMCA variable had the least significant role. CONCLUSION: These results show the possibility of developing an accurate tool using data mining algorithms for sex determination in the forensic framework.

Prenatal detection and evaluation of differences of sex development.

INTRODUCTION: Differences/disorders of sex development (DSD) can be detected at different ages, including prenatally. The recent implementation of prenatal genetic testing (including cell-free DNA) may affect the frequency and impact of prenatal diagnosis of DSD. Our aims were to (1) describe prenatal detection and evaluation of differences of sex development presenting to a multidisciplinary DSD clinic and (2) explore possible parental distress accompanying this evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of mothers presenting prenatally, and patients presenting during infancy, to a multidisciplinary DSD clinic from 2013 to 2017 was conducted. Data extracted included demographics, final diagnoses, prenatal screening, prenatal evaluation, postnatal endocrine, genetic and radiologic testing, and clinician's notes on parent/patient distress. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients were identified; ten (15%) had prenatal detection of a suspected DSD. Of those, 4/10 were detected prenatally in the last study year alone. Within the prenatal group, 6/10 had cell-free DNA results discordant with ultrasound, 2/10 were detected by atypical genitalia on ultrasound, and 2/10 were detected through karyotyping performed for other indications. After birth, 3/10 patients were found to not have a DSD. Final diagnoses for the full study cohort are shown in the Summary Table, comparing prenatal versus postnatal presentation to our DSD clinic. Clinicians noted distress for most parents during the prenatal evaluation of a possible DSD, including one mother who reported suicidal thoughts. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal suspicion of DSD can occur through discordant prenatal testing and has been observed at our clinic in recent years, in line with other recent studies. Contributing factors to these prenatal presentations could be increased referrals to the clinic, and increased use of non-invasive prenatal testing, which can lead to inaccurate or discordant sex identification. The prenatal suspicion of a potential DSD can be associated with parental distress, underscoring the need for adequate counseling for tests that determine fetal sex, including cell-free DNA.

Sex determination from the humerus bone in Iranian cases / Determinación del sexo a partir del húmero en casos iraníes

Sex determination from bones is of vital importance in anthropological studies and medico-legal cases. The present study focused on measurements of the humerus, and evaluation of the differences in sex present in the morphology through statistical analysis. In our study, 61 dry adult humerus bones of known sex (35 males and 26 female) were studied. Damaged bones were excluded from the study. Each humerus was measured for 10 parameters; measurements were taken by using a sliding caliper as described in anthropology textbooks and previous studies. The osteometric data of the humerus of the present study is statistically analyzed and in both sexes are compared. Statistical tests were applied to the metrical data obtained to assess whether the differences between the means of each parameter are statistically significant between male and female. We found more discriminatory parameters for the identification of sex from humerus. In this study we found in men positive correlations between AR and epicondylar width (0.471**) and midshaft with length of humerous (0.481**); the correlation of these parameters was not found in females. Conversely we found in female, positive correlations between medial and lateral angle with mid shaf t circumference (0.488**) and width of epicondylar and maximum length (0.511**) and medial angle, with medial and lateral angle (0.498**) and maximum width with length of humerous (0.512**); correlation of these parameters were not observed in males. In previous studies authors did not analyze relationship between total humeral length and the measurements of their segments related to possible differences among populations, by sex separately. This may be due to genetic, nutritional and socio-economic differences in the individuals or may be due to hypo masculinity in female humerus and hyper masculinity in male humerus.

La determinación del sexo a partir de los huesos es de vital importancia en los estudios antropológicos y en los casos médico-legales. El presente estudio se centró en las mediciones del húmero y en evaluar las diferencias de sexo presentes en la morfología a través del análisis estadístico. En nuestra investigación, se estudiaron 61 húmeros adultos secos (35 hombres y 26 mujeres). Los huesos dañados fueron excluidos del estudio. Cada húmero se midió para 10 parámetros; las mediciones se realizaron utilizando un calibrador deslizante como está descrito en textos de antropología y estudios anteriores. Los datos osteométricos del húmero se analizaron estadísticamente y se compararon ambos sexos. Se aplicaron pruebas estadísticas a los datos métricos obtenidos para evaluar si las diferencias entre las medias de cada parámetro eran estadísticamente significativas entre hombres y mujeres. Se observó que existen parámetros más discriminatorios para la identificación del sexo a partir del húmero. En este estudio, encontramos en los hombres correlaciones positivas entre AR y ancho epicondilar (0,471**) y vástago medio con la longitud de del húmero (0,481**) que no tienen esta correlación de parámetros en mujeres. Además, encontramos correlaciones positivas entre mujeres: ángulo medial y lateral con circunferencia del eje medio t (0,488**) y ancho epicondilar y longitud máxima (0,511**) y ángulo medial con ángulo medial y lateral (0.498**), y ancho máximo con longitud de húmero (0.512**) no se observaron estos parámetros de correlación en el hombre. En estudios anteriores, los autores no analizaron la relación entre la longitud humeral total y las medidas de los segmentos con las posibles diferencias entre la población agrupada por sexo. Esto se podría deber a la diferencia genética, nutricional y socioeconómica en los individuos o la hipocomunidad en el húmero femenino y la hiper masculinidad en el húmero de los hombres.

Evaluation of Palatal Rugae Pattern in Identification and Sex Determination in Indian Children

Objective: To analyse the role of palatal rugoscopy in person identification and sex determination. Material and Methods: The study group consisted of 30 children having mixed dentition within the age range of 8-15 years. Based on the length of the rugae, it was classified as primary (>5mm), secondary (3-5mm) and fragmentary (<3mm) and according to shape, (straight, curve, circular and wavy). Association between rugae patterns and sexual dimorphism were tested and statistically analysed using Chi-square test and stepwise discriminant function analysis with statistical software SPSS version 17.0. Results: Results of the present study indicates that there was higher primary rugae patterns (p>0.05) among boys over girls (boys - 224 and girls - 213) and circular rugae pattern and secondary rugae were more among girls (88) over boys (56) (p<0.05). Converging unification pattern was more among boys (17) over girls (11), whereas diverging pattern was more among girls (19) over boys (13), but there was no difference for wavy and curved patterns between boys and girls. These results were confirmed with standardized canonical discriminant function coefficient test. Conclusion: The present study hypothesizes the uniqueness of the rugae pattern in person identification as no two palates showed similar type of rugae in either of the genders. Palatal rugae revealed a specific pattern in unification among boys and girls. Discriminant function analysis enabled sex determination of individuals.

Root Length: As a determinant tool of sexual dimorphism in an ethnic Tamil population.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dimorphism in teeth has been an area of research for forensic anthropologists. The function of root in transmitting the forces of occlusion to the alveolar bone varies as the force in males tends to be larger than in females. This shows the significance of the root length as indicators of sexual dimorphism. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the presence of sexual dimorphism in the root lengths of permanent teeth and to evaluate if root length could be instrumental in defining sexual dimorphism among an ethnic Tamil population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Orthopantomograms of 1000 individuals (500 males and 500 females) were utilized, and the measurement of root length of permanent maxillary and mandibular teeth from canine to first molar on all four quadrants using the Digital software SCANORA 5.2.6. was carried out. Statistical analysis including descriptive statistics and independent Student t-test were performed. RESULTS: In this study, the sexual dimorphism in root length is observed in 13, 14, 15, 16, 23, 26, 33, 36, 43, and 46 (mesial), and there is a statistically significant difference between the root measurements of males and females (P < 0.05). Most dimorphic teeth were maxillary canines and mandibular canines. CONCLUSION: The data generated from this study suggest that the root length measurements present with a substantial evidence of sexual dimorphism emphasizing its importance on identifying sex and are therefore useful in determining the biological profile.

Age and gender assessment through three-dimensional morphometric analysis of maxillary sinus using magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Age and sex determinations are important tools in forensic odontology which help in the identification of an individual. Radiographic method of sex and age estimation is a noninvasive simple technique. Measurements of the maxillary sinuses can be used for the estimation of age and gender when other methods are inconclusive. Maxillary sinus dimensions were used as an important tool in the identification of unknown. AIM: This study aims to estimate age and sex using the dimensions and volume of the maxillary sinus in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included sixty patients visiting Department of Radiology Mamata General Hospital, Khammam requiring MRI of the brain and paranasal sinuses. Maxillary sinus dimensions were measured using Siemens software, and statistical analysis was done. RESULTS: The volume and dimensions of the maxillary sinus were more in males when compared to the females with a statistically significant difference. The highest percentage of sexual dimorphism was seen in the volume of left maxillary sinus. Age estimated using the volume of maxillary sinus showed no statistically significant difference from the actual age of the subjects. CONCLUSION: The dimensions and volume of the maxillary sinuses were larger in males than in females, in addition to that they tend to be less with the older age. MRI measurements of maxillary sinuses may be useful to support gender and age estimation in forensic radiology.

Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) for Embryo Sex Determination in Pregnant Women at Eight Weeks of Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: In human, SRY (sex-determining region of the Y chromosome) is the major gene for the testis-determining factor which is found in normal XY males and in the rare XX males, and it is absent in normal XX females and many XY females. There are several methods which can indicate a male genotype by the presence of the amplified product of SRY gene. The aim of this study was to identify the SRY gene for embryo sex determination in human during pregnancy using loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method. METHODS: A total of 15 blood samples from pregnant women at eight weeks of pregnancy were collected, and Plasma DNA was extracted. LAMP assay was performed using DNA obtained for detection of SRY gene. Furthermore, colorimetric LAMP assay for rapid and easy detection of SRY gene was developed. RESULTS: LAMP results revealed that the positive reaction was highly specific only with samples containing XY chromosomes, while no amplification was found in samples containing XX chromosomes. A total of 15 blood samples from pregnant women were seven male embryos (46.6%) and eight female embryos (53.4%). All used visual components in the colorimetric assay could successfully make a clear distinction between positive and negative ones. CONCLUSION: The LAMP assay developed in this study is a valuable tool capable of monitoring the purity and detection of SRY gene for sex determination.

A new method for sex estimation from maxillary suture length in a Thai population.

Sex estimation is one of the crucial procedures in the biological profile identification of human skeletal remains. Knowing sex of unknown case can lead to accurate and appropriate methods for predicting age, stature, ancestry, or even personal identification. Skull is one of the most reliable one among other skeletons and it is usually retained for both archaeological and forensic contexts. Although many morphological features and metric measurements of skull have been studied for sexing, but to the best of our knowledge is no study on maxillary suture length for sex estimation. Therefore, this study aims to develop a new sex estimation method for a Thai population by determining three maxillary suture lengths: anterior, transverse, and posterior maxillary suture, by computerizing amount of pixel obtained from photographs of these sutures. The present study was conducted on 190 Thai bone samples of which 96 were males and 94 were females. Independent t test revealed statistically significant difference (P<0.01) between males and females in all maxillary suture measurements. Equations derived from prediction model, which required three maxillary suture lengths gave 76.8421% accuracy from the leave-one-out cross validation in estimating sex percentage accuracies in predicting sex from these equations, which were relatively moderate. This study provides a novel and objective sex estimation method for Thais. It suggests that maxillary suture length can be applied for sex estimation. The new computerized technique will contribute basis knowledge and method for sex estimation, especially when only base of skull is available in forensic circumstance.

Accuracy of mandibular measurements of sexual dimorphism using stabilizer equipment

Abstract The objective of this investigation was to compare the accuracy of mandibular measurements using a stabilizer (MS) with gold standard computed tomography (GS) images. Sixty mandibles were studied. Werth TomoScope HV Compact® was used to obtain CT images (GS), and the MS was also used. Analysis of the CT scans was performed using the VG Studio Max software® (Volume Graphics GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany), and MS was used after the proper positioning of the mandible. Descriptive and paired t test measures were used, and a ROC curve was calculated, as well as sensibility and specificity. MedCalc and STATA 13.0® were used (95% level of significance). Bicondylar breadth, bicoronoid breadth and minimum ramus breadth reached the highest concordance correlation coefficients at 0.99 (0.99-1.00), 0.99 (0.99–1.00) and 1.00 (0.99–1.00), respectively. Comparing observers with GS, the lowest accuracy was noted for the maximum mandibular length [0.59 (0.45–0.69), 0.64 (0.51–0.74)], the breadth of the right (0.14 (0.04–0.23), 0.14 (0.004–0.24)) and left mandibular body [0.14 (0.03–0.24), 0.16 (0.05-0.26)], and the right [0.58 (0.45–0.69), 0.63 (0.51–0.73) and left (0.59 (0.45–0.70), 0.59 (0.46–0.69)] mandibular angle. Various measurements exhibited good sensibility for males using MS: maximum mandibular length (78.12), bicondylar breadth (78.12), left mandibular notch breadth (84.37), and the left height of the mandibular body at the mental foramen (75.00). High specificity in discriminating females was observed for the left maximal ramus height (85.19), mandibular length (85.71), bicoronoid breadth (96.43), right height of the mandibular body at the mental foramen (82.19), bimental breadth (78.57), breadth right (92.86) and left (96.43) mandibular body, minimum ramus breadth (89.29), and left mandibular angle (85.71). MS was able to discriminate sexual dimorphism.

A new method for sex estimation from maxillary suture length in a Thai population / 대한해부학회지

Sex estimation is one of the crucial procedures in the biological profile identification of human skeletal remains. Knowing sex of unknown case can lead to accurate and appropriate methods for predicting age, stature, ancestry, or even personal identification. Skull is one of the most reliable one among other skeletons and it is usually retained for both archaeological and forensic contexts. Although many morphological features and metric measurements of skull have been studied for sexing, but to the best of our knowledge is no study on maxillary suture length for sex estimation. Therefore, this study aims to develop a new sex estimation method for a Thai population by determining three maxillary suture lengths: anterior, transverse, and posterior maxillary suture, by computerizing amount of pixel obtained from photographs of these sutures. The present study was conducted on 190 Thai bone samples of which 96 were males and 94 were females. Independent t test revealed statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) between males and females in all maxillary suture measurements. Equations derived from prediction model, which required three maxillary suture lengths gave 76.8421% accuracy from the leave-one-out cross validation in estimating sex percentage accuracies in predicting sex from these equations, which were relatively moderate. This study provides a novel and objective sex estimation method for Thais. It suggests that maxillary suture length can be applied for sex estimation. The new computerized technique will contribute basis knowledge and method for sex estimation, especially when only base of skull is available in forensic circumstance.

Sexual dimorphism using odontometric indexes: Analysis of three statistical techniques.

Sex dimorphism is an important part in the identification process. The teeth are an excellent material for anthropological analysis and it can be considerate a valuable tool for sex determination. This study aims to analyze sexual dimorphism through the dental measures in Brazilian adults using three different statistical methods. The sample consists of maxillary and mandibular plaster models of 200 Caucasoid Brazilian individuals (100 male and 100 female), aged between 20 and 30 years. The mesiodistal (MD) and buccolingual (BL) diameters were measured of all teeth, excluding third molars. These measurements were performed directly on the plaster models. For statistical analysis we used the software STATA 12.0. Three techniques were performed to check the sexual dimorphism Logistic Regression, Linear Discriminant Function and Function Discriminant KNN. The significance level for all tests was 5%. The study population was composed of 200 research participants. Of this total, 100 were male and 100 were female. The average age was 24.33 years and the average height of 1.69 m. According to the results presented in this study we can conclude that it is possible to check the sexual dimorphism in Brazilian adults through dental measures. No differences were verified between homologous teeth. Dental elements of the male participants had higher averages than those of female participants. The best indicators for evaluating sexual dimorphism were measures of the canines and molars. Multivariate techniques were more accurate and KNN discriminant analysis showed the best results.

Assessment of sex in a modern Turkish population using cranial anthropometric parameters.

The utilization of radiological imaging methods in anthropometric studies is being expanded by the application of modern imaging methods, leading to a decrease in costs, a decrease in the time required for analysis and the ability to create three-dimensional images. This retrospective study investigated 400 patients within the 18-45-years age group (mean age: 30.7±11.2years) using cranial computed tomography images. We measured 14 anthropometric parameters (basion-bregma height, basion-prosthion length, maximum cranial length and cranial base lengths, maximum cranial breadth, bizygomatic diameter, upper facial breadth, bimastoid diameter, orbital breadth, orbital length, biorbital breadth, interorbital breadth, foramen magnum breadth and foramen magnum length) of cranial measurements. The intra- and inter-observer repeatability and consistency were good. From the results of logistic regression analysis using morphometric measurements, the most conspicuous measurements in terms of dimorphism were maximum cranial length, bizygomatic diameter, basion-bregma height, and cranial base length. The most dimorphic structure was the bizygomatic diameter with an accuracy rate of 83% in females and 77% in males. In this study, 87.5% of females and 87.0% of males were classified accurately by this model including four parameters with a sensitivity of 91.5% and specificity of 85.0%. In conclusion, CT cranial morphometric analysis may be reliable for the assessment of sex in the Turkish population and is recommended for comparison of data of modern populations with those of former populations. Additionally, cranial morphometric data that we obtained from modern Turkish population may reveal population specific data, which may help current criminal investigations and identification of disaster victims.

Sex determination from occipital condylar measurements by baudoin Index in forensic purposes / Determinación del sexo desde mediciones del cóndilo occipital mediante el Índice de baudoin con propósitos forenses

In human identification for forensic purposes the sex is one of the most important and first features to be assessed in each case. Baudoin condylar index is a sex determination method based on measurements of length and width of the occipital condyle. The aim of this research was to apply the Baudoin condylar index for sex determination, and evaluate its reliability. The sample was composed of 100 Brazilian human skulls, 50 male and 50 female from São Gonçalo cemetery, City of Cuiabá, Brazil. The measurement values were statistically analyzed in order to compare the matching rate for each sex, each side, as well as the overall average. The results showed that the overall percentage of success in applying the Baudoin index was 44.83 percent to males, and 51.93 percent to females, amounting to 47.5 percent matching. The accuracy of the Baudoin index to sex determination was quite low for this Brazilian sample, the reason why this method should be disregarded as a criterion to sexing skulls in a forensic context.

En la identificación de personas con fines forenses el sexo es una de las características más importantes y primordiales a evaluar en cada caso. El índice condilar Baudoin es un método de determinación del sexo basado en mediciones de la longitud y la anchura del cóndilo occipital. El objetivo de esta investigación fue aplicar el índice condilar de Baudoin para la determinación del sexo, y evaluar su fiabilidad. La muestra fue compuesta de 100 cráneos humanos brasileños, 50 hombres y 50 mujeres del cementerio São Gonçalo, ciudad de Cuiabá, Brasil. Los valores de medición se analizaron estadísticamente con el fin de comparar la tasa de coincidencia para cada sexo, cada lado, además de la media general. Los resultados mostraron que el porcentaje general de éxito en la aplicación del índice de Baudoin fue de 44,83 por ciento para los hombres y 51,93 por ciento para las mujeres, lo que asciende a una coincidencia del 47,5 por ciento. La precisión del índice de Baudoin para la determinación del sexo fue bastante baja para esta muestra brasileña, por lo que este método debe ser considerado como criterio para determinar el sexo de los cráneos en un contexto forense.

The impact of chimerism in DNA-based forensic sex determination analysis.

Sex determination is the most important step in personal identification in forensic investigations. DNA-based sex determination analysis is comparatively more reliable than the other conventional methods of sex determination analysis. Advanced technology like real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) offers accurate and reproducible results and is at the level of legal acceptance. But still there are situations like chimerism where an individual possess both male and female specific factors together in their body. Sex determination analysis in such cases can give erroneous results. This paper discusses the phenomenon of chimerism and its impact on sex determination analysis in forensic investigations.