Sex determination in a Brazilian sample from cranial morphometric parameters - a preliminary study

Area of Science:

• Forensic Anthropology
• Human Osteology
• Biological Anthropology

Background:

• Sex determination is crucial for human identification, particularly in forensic contexts.
• The skull is a key indicator for sex determination when pelvic elements are unavailable.
• Cranial metric analysis offers a quantitative approach to assess sex differences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a reliable method for sex determination using skull measurements.
• To develop mathematical prototypes for sex estimation in forensic investigations.
• To assess the dimorphism of specific cranial measurements.

Main Methods:

• Eleven cranial measurements were taken from a sample of 186 skulls (males and females).
• Measurements were categorized into sagittal and horizontal planes.
• Logistic regression and conditional inference trees were used to create predictive sex determination models.

Main Results:

• Significant sexual dimorphism was observed in Lambda-Nasospinale and Rhinion-Nasospinale (sagittal plane), and Zygomaxillare-Zygomaxillare and Lambda-Incisive Foramen (horizontal plane).
• Predictive models achieved accuracy rates of 78.5% (logistic regression) and 72.04% (conditional inference trees).
• The developed models show potential as auxiliary tools in forensic identification.

Conclusions:

• Specific cranial measurements exhibit significant sexual dimorphism.
• Mathematical models based on these measurements can aid in sex determination.
• The findings support the application of these quantitative methods in forensic anthropology.