Humeral development from neonatal period to skeletal maturity--application in age and sex assessment

Area of Science:

• Forensic Anthropology
• Human Osteology
• Bioarchaeology

Background:

• Accurate age and sex estimation are crucial in forensic anthropology.
• The humerus provides valuable skeletal indicators for these estimations.
• Previous research has explored various humeral metrics, but comprehensive cross-sectional growth data is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze cross-sectional growth data of the humerus in Western European individuals from birth to 25 years.
• To identify humeral measurements suitable for sex determination and sub-adult age estimation in forensic contexts.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of four humeral measurements (diaphyseal length, proximal end transversal diameter, epicondylar breadth, head vertical diameter).
• Study included 181 individuals (90 male, 91 female) from documented Western European skeletal collections.
• Statistical analyses included homogeneity testing, sexual difference evaluation (t-test, Mann-Whitney U), and growth pattern analysis (polynomial regression).

Main Results:

• Sexual dimorphism was observed in epicondylar breadth (post-20 years) and head vertical diameter (post-15 years).
• Humerus growth generally followed first- and second-degree polynomial patterns, with the proximal end transversal diameter exhibiting a fourth-degree polynomial growth.
• Strong positive correlations were found between all four humeral measurements and age.

Conclusions:

• Epicondylar breadth and head vertical diameter are potentially useful for sex determination in adults.
• All four humeral measurements demonstrate significant correlation with age, making them valuable tools for sub-adult age estimation in forensic science.
• This research provides essential data for improving age and sex assessment in skeletal remains.