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Updated: May 20, 2026
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Anogenital Distance and Perineal Measurements of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) Quantification System
Published on: September 20, 2018
Quantification of the subpubic angle in South Africans
Candice Small1, Desiré M Brits, Jason Hemingway
1School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa. candicesmll@gmail.com
Forensic Science International
|July 4, 2012
Summary
Forensic anthropologists can use the subpubic angle of the pelvis to determine sex and population affinity in South Africa. This study quantified the angle, finding distinct differences between sexes and ethnic groups for accurate identification.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Anthropology
- Human Osteology
- Bioarchaeology
Background:
- High crime rates in South Africa necessitate efficient identification of skeletal remains.
- Sex and population affinity are critical tasks in forensic anthropology.
- The pelvis is a sexually dimorphic bone, with the subpubic angle being a key feature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the subpubic angle in South African individuals of African (black) and European (white) descent.
- To compare subpubic angle measurements between males and females across these populations.
- To assess the utility of the subpubic angle in sex and population affinity estimation.
Main Methods:
- 145 pelves (68 white, 77 black South Africans) from the Raymond A. Dart Collection were analyzed.
- Pelves were photographed using a custom stand.
- Digital images were used to measure the subpubic angle, followed by statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in subpubic angle were found between sexes and population groups.
- For black South Africans, males typically had angles ≤74.9°, females had larger angles.
- For white South Africans, males typically had angles ≤81.4°, females had larger angles, achieving 86% accuracy.
Conclusions:
- The subpubic angle is a valuable metric for sex and population affinity estimation in forensic anthropology.
- Population-specific parameters are essential for accurate application of the subpubic angle.
- This study provides crucial data for South African skeletal analyses.
