A method for estimating sex using the clavicle, humerus, radius, and ulna.

Area of Science:

• Forensic Anthropology
• Bioarchaeology
• Human Osteology

Background:

• Accurate sex estimation from skeletal remains is crucial for identification.
• The pelvis is the most reliable indicator of sex but is often missing.
• Alternative skeletal elements are needed for sex estimation in such cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a probabilistic sex estimation method using non-pelvic long bones.
• To create population-independent equations applicable to diverse forensic recovery scenarios.
• To assess the accuracy and reliability of this method across different skeletal samples.

Main Methods:

• Utilized standard and alternative measurements of the clavicle, humerus, radius, and ulna.
• Developed multiple regression equations for probabilistic sex estimation.
• Tested the equations on four independent samples, including a forensic sample (n > 370).

Main Results:

• Achieved consistently good allocation accuracies ranging from 87.4% to 97.5%.
• Observed lower accuracy in a sample of severely malnourished males, highlighting potential biases.
• The probabilistic approach correctly identified indeterminate cases when allocation confidence was low.

Conclusions:

• The developed probabilistic method provides a reliable alternative for sex estimation when the pelvis is unavailable.
• The equations are robust and applicable across various populations and recovery contexts.
• This method enhances the accuracy of skeletal identification in forensic and archaeological investigations.