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Sex estimation in the cranium and mandible: a multislice computed tomography (MSCT) study using anthropometric and
Claudia Gillet1, Leonor Costa-Mendes1,2, Camille Rérolle1,3
1Laboratoire d'Anthropobiologie AMIS, UMR 5288 CNRS, Université Paul Sabatier, Allées Jules Guesde, 31000, Toulouse, France.
International Journal of Legal Medicine
|January 4, 2020
Summary
The skull offers superior accuracy for sex estimation compared to the mandible, especially in older individuals. Geometric morphometry enhances accuracy for both skull and mandible sex determination.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Anthropology
- Bioarchaeology
- Human Osteology
Background:
- Sex estimation is crucial in forensic anthropology.
- Craniofacial morphology varies between sexes.
- Accurate sex estimation aids in individual identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the accuracy of the skull versus the mandible for sex estimation.
- To evaluate metric and geometric morphometric methods.
- To assess the impact of age on sex estimation accuracy.
Main Methods:
- Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) analysis of 120 individuals.
- Placement of 48 osteometric landmarks on cranium and mandible.
- Analysis using univariate statistics, logistic regression, and generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA).
Main Results:
- Cranial models achieved 87-88.3% accuracy; mandibular models achieved 68-81.4%.
- Geometric morphometry yielded 94-100% accuracy for the cranium and 84.2% for the mandible.
- Mandible accuracy was higher in individuals over 40, but cranial predictability was consistently greater.
Conclusions:
- The cranium demonstrates higher overall predictability for sex estimation.
- Geometric morphometry offers high accuracy for both skull and mandible.
- Age influences mandibular sex estimation accuracy, but cranial accuracy remains superior across age groups.
