Handedness identification from intertubercular sulcus of the humerus by discriminant function analysis

The accurate determination of skeletal handedness is a critical requirement in physical anthropology and forensic science. To differentiate handedness, discriminant function analysis is applied using the parameters of right and left intertubercular sulci. A total of 200 matched unpaired adult humeri (100 right and 100 left), collected from the Department of Anatomy, were used to measure four parameters of the intertubercular sulcus namely, width (X1), depth (X2), angle of medial wall (X3) and angle of lateral wall (X4) and to note the presence of supratubercular ridge of Meyer (X5). The discriminant function obtained with the significant variables, angle of medial wall (X3), angle of lateral wall (X4) and presence of the supratubercular Meyer (X5) is: Y = 0.093X3 + 0.056X4 + 0.775X5 - 13.46. The accuracy of correct classification using the discriminant function is 89% which is the best starting point for handedness determination approach. The methodology of using discriminant function can be crucial for medicolegal jurisprudence.