Sex determination using the femur in an ancient Anatolian population

Determination of sex from the femur measurements has been attempted in several populations. Numerous studies have also demonstrated the importance of creating population specific standards in the metric assessment of sex. The present study attempts to establish metric standards for sex determination by using femur measurements for ancient Anatolian populations. Osteometric data were obtained from skeletal remains of 130 adults (67 males and 63 females) from the Dilkaya medieval collection. Eight femur measurements were taken and the data were analyzed using t-test and discriminant analysis with the help of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The basic statistics showed that all measurements were sexually dimorphic. For the univariate discriminant function derived, precision of sex determination was 86.5 % with the condyle breadth. Our prediction values showed that sex differentiation can be done by femur measurements with reliability between 76 % and 88.5 %, with values for female slightly higher than for males. It is suggested that discriminant formulas developed by combinations of femur measurements in this study can be used for sex determination accurately on fragmentary skeletal remains in ancient Anatolian populations.     

Sex determination using the scapula in New Kingdom skeletons from Tell El-Amarna

Both forensic and archaeological sciences use metric analysis of human skeletal remains for sex estimation of unknown individuals. Thomas Dwight first reported the utility of scapula metrics for sex estimation in 1894, and subsequent years have produced several techniques for sex estimation using scapula metrics. Levels of sexual dimorphism vary across time and space, making these methods not universally applicable. Novel discriminant functions for unique populations are thus necessary. The present study establishes metric standards for sex estimation for a New Kingdom Egyptian skeletal sample from Tell El-Amarna using scapular measurements. The sample for this research consists of 27 individuals (14 males; 13 females) whose sex estimate based on pelvic morphology is unambiguous. The five measurements showing the highest degree of sexual dimorphism (p ≤ 0.001) are used in the discriminant functions reported here: maximum length of the scapula, maximum length of the scapular spine, breadth of the infraspinous body, height of the glenoid fossa, and breadth of the glenoid fossa. The overall leave one out, cross-validated accuracy for the five reported discriminant functions ranges from 84.0 to 88.0%; similar to accuracies reported for the femur and humerus. Functions combining multiple variables produce higher accuracies than those based on single measurements. The unique population of Amarna, being comprised of emigrants from throughout Egypt, suggests these discriminant functions will have utility for Amarna period sites across the spatial distances of Egypt, and possibly the temporal range of the New Kingdom as a whole.     

Sex determination using the femur in an ancient Japanese population

Determination of sex from the femur measurements has been attempted in several populations and various studies have demonstrated the importance of population specific standards in the metric assessment of sex. The present study attempts to establish metric standards for sex determination by using femur measurements for ancient Japanese populations. Osteometric data were obtained from 151 adult skeletal remains from Jomon period, Yoshigo human skeletal collection. Eight femur measurements were taken and the data were analyzed by discriminant analysis using SPSS version 10.0. For the univariate discriminant function derived, precision of sex determination was 93% with the condyle breadth. Prediction values showed that sex differentiation could be done by femur measurements with reliability between 66.9 and 100%, with values for males higher than for females. It is suggested that discriminant formulas developed by femur measurements in this study, can be used for sex determination accurately on fragmentary skeletal remains in ancient Japanese populations.     

肩胛骨性别的判别分析

就青岛出土已知性别成年肩胛骨84例(男66,女18)进行了12项测量,从中挑选出肩胛形态宽(X1),肩胛宽(X2),肩胛冈长(X3)和关节盂长(X4)四个变量,按Fisher法进行判别分析,其中有五种组合方式其判别率均在92.9％以上,而X3与X4两因素判别率最优,高达97.62％。此法简便,准确,具有较高的实用价值。     

Patella measurements of South African whites as sex assessors.

This study uses metrical characteristics of the patella to derive population specific equations for sex determination in South Africa. Six measurements were taken from 120 normal and undamaged left patellae in a sample of known race, equally distributed by sex, obtained from the Raymond A Dart collection of human skeletons. These data were subjected to discriminant analysis. Maximum height and maximum breadth were selected in the stepwise analysis with an average accuracy of 83% in correct sex classification. Four functions were derived from the direct analysis with a range of average accuracy between 77% and 85%. While most individual variables showed high misclassification rates and may not be useful on their own, maximum height and maximum breadth have an average accuracy of 85 and 79%, respectively.     

Using scapular measurements in regression formulae for the estimation of stature

There are very few papers in forensic literature in which scapular dimensions have been used for estimation of living stature. Allowing the forensic duty to estimate the living stature of skeletal remains, using intact or fragmented scapulae, the Authors have performed multiple regression analysis between the measurements taken from 80 scapula (40 male and 40 female) belonging to a skeletal collection with anthropometric known data. Seven parameters (max length, max breadth, max acrocoracoid distance, length of acromion, max length of coracoid, length of glenoid cavity, width of glenoid cavity) have been recorded. By statistical analysis multiple and linear regressions have been obtained. The results show that living stature may be determined by using regression formulae of single or associated parameters taken from whole or fragmented scapulae. In absence of intact or fragmented long limb bones, scapula sample can be reliably employed for the estimation of stature in forensic practice.     

Assessment of race from the pelvis

Racial assessment of human postcranial skeletal remains has been a major concern for forensic and skeletal anthropologists. Materials (N = 400) of the present study are from the Terry Collection and consist of 100 black and white American pelves of both sex with known age and race. Measurements were taken from the articulated pelves. Results of discriminant function analysis indicate classificatory accuracy may be as high as 88%. Transverse pelvic breadth contributes more to the function than biiliac breadth and antero-posterior height. The females are more easily assessed racially than males. Although a highly reliable classification is produced, the results of the study should be employed with caution, as samples were of questionable nutritional status and of low socioeconomic class.     

An assessment of sex using the skull of black South Africans by discriminant function analysis

The derivation of discriminant function equations for skeletal elements of South African populations continues to be an area of interest to both forensic anthropologists and skeletal biologists alike. The skull of black South Africans has previously been subjected to discriminant function analysis, using four measurements and two indices; however, no equations were derived to address the issue of sex determination. Recently Franklin, Freedman and Milne [2005. Sexual dimorphism and discriminant function sexing in indigenous South African crania. HOMO J. Comp. Hum. Biol. 55, 213-228] used the crania of black South Africans, in a three-dimensional approach, with eight linear measurements to investigate sex determination. This study, although valuable, requires the use of highly technical and expensive morphometric equipment that renders it less feasible in South Africa. In response to this, our study uses traditional anthropometric measurements and equipment to address the question of sex determination from the crania and mandible of blacks. One hundred and twenty non-pathological skulls were randomly selected from the Raymond Dart Collection of Human Skeletons, equally distributed by sex and belonging to individuals whose age at death ranges between 25 and 70 years. Fourteen cranial and six mandibular measurements were subjected to discriminant function analyses and discriminant function equations were derived for sex determination. Average accuracies ranged between 80% and 85% and were on par with that obtained in previous studies. Our study shows that traditional methods provide average accuracies that are comparable to those obtained using more complex techniques.     

香港地区现代人头骨的研究：性别和地区类型的判别分析

本文报告了香港地区现代中国人头骨测量性状的性别差异情况和香港与太原的男性头骨的差异情况。在此基础上,使用判别分析的方法建立了各自的判别函数,正判率分别达到93.1％和85.3％。它们分别适用于华南头骨的性别鉴定和华南与华北男性头骨的区分。     

太行山猕猴掌骨性别判别分析

为了了解成年太行山猕猴5根掌骨的性差大小。本文对太行山猕猴掌骨标本40例(雄:10, 雌:30)进行观察并选择掌骨的9项形态变量进行测量。数据用SPSS19.0软件进行多变量判别分析。结果表明: 5根掌骨长度等变量在性别之间有明显差异。用全模型法5根掌骨的性别正确判别率范围为94.1%~100.0%, 用逐步判别法掌骨性别正确判别率范围为93.8%~97.5%。有关掌骨的9个形态变量, 长度变量首先被挑选出来, 说明在性别判别中起重要作用。分别用左右侧掌骨的判别函数来判别性别时侧别差异不明显。结论: 用每根掌骨的形态变量建立判别函数可以有效地区分性别, 对非人灵长类掌骨标本的性别鉴定有一定的理论意义和应用价值。     

Sex determination from the occipital condyle: discriminant function analysis in an eighteenth and nineteenth century British sample

Fragmentary human remains compromised by different types of inhumation, or physical insults such as explosions, fires, and mutilations may frustrate the use of traditional morphognostic sex determination methods. The basicranium is protected by a large soft tissue mass comprising muscle, tendon, and ligaments. As such, the occipital region may prove useful for sex identification in cases of significantly fragmented remains. The aims of this paper are to (1) evaluate sexual dimorphism in British cranial bases by manually recorded unilateral and bilateral condylar length and width as well as intercondylar measurements and (2) develop discriminant functions for sex determination for this cranial sample. The crania selected for this study are part of the 18th-19th century documented skeletal collection of St. Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London. Adult human skulls (n = 146; male75/female71) were measured to derive statistical functions. Results indicated that expression of sexual dimorphism in the occipital condylar region within the St. Bride's population is demonstrable but low. Crossvalidated classification accuracy ranged between 69.2 and 76.7%, and sex bias ranged from 0.3 to 9.7%. Therefore, the use of discriminant functions derived from occipital condyles, especially in British skeletal populations, should only be considered in cases of fragmented cranial bases when no other morphognostic or morphometric method can be utilized for sex determination.     

Determination of Sex from Footprint Dimensions in a Ghanaian Population

The present study sought to verify the utility and reliability of footprint dimensions in sex determination in a Ghanaian population. Bilateral footprints were obtained from 126 Ghanaian students (66 males and 60 females) aged 18–30 years at Koforidua Polytechnic using an ink pad and white papers. Seven dimensions–length of each toe (designated T1-T5) from the most anterior point of the toe to the mid-rear heel point, breadth at ball (BAB) and breadth at heel (BAH)–and the heel-ball (HB) index were obtained from each footprint. Some footprint dimensions (i.e. T2, T3, T4 and T5) showed statistically significant bilateral asymmetry in males only. All the footprint dimensions, except HB index, were significantly greater in males than females (p<0.001). Applied singly in discriminant function analysis, the footprint dimensions allowed 69.8%-80.3% of cases to be correctly classified into their sex groups; the accuracy of sex classification was higher using left footprints than right footprints. With all dimensions subjected to stepwise discriminant function analysis 80.3% and 77% of cases could be correctly classified, combining both T5 and BAH for left footprints and T1, BAB and BAH for left footprints respectively. The present study has demonstrated, for the first time among Ghanaian subjects, the utility and reliability of sex determination standards developed from footprint dimensions. The results thus provide the baseline for elaborated studies in the future.     

Sex determination of African Penguins Spheniscus demersus using bill measurements: method comparisons and implications for use

African Penguins Spheniscus demersus are sexually dimorphic; on average, males are larger than females but measurements overlap making sex determination difficult through observations alone. We developed a discriminant function, using bill length and depth from a sample of birds sexed from gonad visualisation during post-mortem, which correctly classified 93% of the individuals. Cross-validation correctly assigned 90% of DNA-sexed birds and 91% of birds sexed by partner measurement comparisons. The use of discriminant function score cutpoints, while leaving 16% and 29% of birds unclassified, improved accuracy of birds sexed by DNA to 97% and of those sexed by partner comparison to 99%. Bill depth was found to be a discriminating variable. However, two techniques for measuring bill depth are currently in use for African Penguins. While these measurements are correlated (r = 0.85), they differ on average by 1.4?mm hindering accuracy of sex determination when using a discriminant function developed from the other bill depth measurement. Exploration of adult bill morphology of birds sexed from DNA at different colonies suggests the discriminant functions can be applied throughout the African Penguins’ South African range.     

Sex discrimination from the acetabulum in a twentieth-century skeletal sample from France using digital photogrammetry

Digital photogrammetric methods were used to collect diameter, area, and perimeter data of the acetabulum for a twentieth-century skeletal sample from France (Georges Olivier Collection, Musée de l’Homme, Paris) consisting of 46 males and 36 females. The measurements were then subjected to both discriminant function and logistic regression analyses in order to develop osteometric standards for sex assessment. Univariate discriminant functions and logistic regression equations yielded overall correct classification accuracy rates for both the left and the right acetabula ranging from 84.1% to 89.6%. The multivariate models developed in this study did not provide increased accuracy over those using only a single variable. Classification sex bias ratios ranged between 1.1% and 7.3% for the majority of models. The results of this study, therefore, demonstrate that metric analysis of acetabular size provides a highly accurate, and easily replicable, method of discriminating sex in this documented skeletal collection. The results further suggest that the addition of area and perimeter data derived from digital images may provide a more effective method of sex assessment than that offered by traditional linear measurements alone.     

上肢长骨的性别判别分析研究

本文对100例(男女各50)国人上肢骨进行了36项测量。统计结果显示所有测量项目均值男性都大于女性并具有显著性的差异。本研究表明可以采用单一指标对破损严重的肢骨进行性别鉴定。36个测量项目中有23项单一指标性别判别率达75％以上,其中9项在80％以上。本文采用Fisher判别分析法建立了56项单一肢骨性别判别函数,判别率为80％—87％。为进一步提高判别效果,采用逐步判别分析法建立了四项逐步性别判别函数,判别率达90％以上。     

Sex diagnosis of subadult specimens from Medieval Polish archaeological sites: metric analysis of deciduous dentition.

The subject of this work is the characterisation of the metric features of deciduous dentition in a Medieval population of central Poland with the use of the jackknife technique leave one out (LOO)-supporting multivariate methods, which are important for deriving discrimination equations that would result in sex determination of children's skeletal remains. The sex of the individuals was assessed through analysis of sex-specific DNA sequences (AMELY/AMELX, SRY and alpha satellite sequences). Discriminant analysis concerned only teeth of those individuals whose sex was confirmed by the primary structure of three DNA sequences. The deciduous tooth diameters of males were found to be significantly larger than those of females in four respects: MD diameter of the maxillary second molar, MD and BL diameters of the mandibular first molar and BL diameter of the mandibular second molar. A two-group discriminant analysis considered all those measurements as independent variables. A multiple regression procedure produced a linear equation predicting the sex of children's skeletons with a significant probability amounting to approximately 78%. The accuracy of the sex assessment of an individual, using dental measurements, was established at 69% in deciduous male and 88% in deciduous female teeth.     

A new method for assessing the sex of fragmentary skeletal remains: femoral shaft circumference

A simple discriminant function using midshaft femoral circumference for the determination of sex has been tested with 114 skeletons from the Libben Site, Ontario County, Ohio. The results have been shown to be 85% consistent with other, accepted means of determining sex. Femur circumference an be an aid to the sexual identification of poorly preserved and fragmentary skeletal remains.     

Morphometric sex determination of young Ospreys Pandion haliaetus using discriminant analysis

Capsule Discriminant functions based on morphometric variables provide a reliable method for sex identification of free‐living and hacked young Ospreys.

Aims To describe an easy, accurate and low‐cost method for sex determination of fully grown nestling and fledgling Ospreys Pandion haliaetus based on morphometric measurements.

Methods Four different measurements were taken in 114 birds (40–73 days old) and a DNA analysis, using PCR amplification, was carried out for sex identification. A forward stepwise discriminant analysis was performed to build the best explanatory discriminant models, which were subsequently validated using statistics and external samples.

Results Our best discriminant function retained forearm and tarsus as the best predictor variables and classified 95.1% of the sample correctly, supported also by external cross‐validations with both hacked and free‐living birds. Moreover, a discriminant function with only forearm as predictor showed a similar high correct classification power (93.4%).

Conclusions These discriminant functions can be used as a reliable and immediate method for sex determination of young Ospreys since they showed high discriminant accuracy, close to that of molecular procedures, and were supported by external cross‐validations, both for free‐living and hacked birds. Thus, these morphometric measurements should be considered as standard tools for future scientific studies and management of Osprey populations     

Classification and misclassification in sexing the Black femur by discriminant function analysis

Stepwise discriminant function analysis for sex assessment was applied to 130 North American Black femora. The measurements included femoral length and three midshaft dimensions likely to be preserved in archaeologically derived and forensic remains. The method correctly assigned sex for 76.4% of the sample (range 70.8–81.5%). This compares favorably with results achieved with other skeletal parts; it also compares favorably with results using the femur in sexing other racial groups. Among our other conclusions are: (1) a “general size factor” is one of major significance in correct classification and in misclassification of sex, and most misclassified individuals are anomalous for this factor; (2) the inconsistency in the relation between circumference and femoral length, which characterizes the remaining misclassified individuals, suggests that anomalous functional demands of body weight/musculature are at fault, and affect circumference more than length; and (3) discriminant function analysis of the same variables in Whites produced similar results, suggesting that sex overrides race in sex assessment; this was confirmed by cross-validating the predictive accuracy of Black discriminant function coefficients on White data, and vice versa.     

Influence of cranial deformation on facial morphology among prehistoric South Central Andean populations

Calculating biodistances among South American populations using cranial measurements is often hindered, as many available skeletal collections exhibit deformation. Acknowledging vault modifications, researchers have sought measurements in other regions which are unaffected by deformation. In the 1970s, a set of 10 "relatively" unaffected facial measurements was identified in Argentinean crania that later became the basis of numerous South American biodistance studies. These measurements include: minimum frontal breadth, bizygomatic breadth, orbit height, orbit breadth, palate breath, palate length, upper facial height, basion-prosthion length, nasal height, and nasal breadth. Palate length was excluded from the present analysis due to considerable measurement error. The suitability of these measurements in populations other than Argentineans has not been rigorously tested. Using a sample of 350 prehistoric crania from the Museo Arqueológico San Miguel de Azapa (MASMA, Arica, Chile), this project tested the hypothesis that these measurements are unaffected by either annular or tabular deformation. Results obtained from MANOVA analysis indicate this hypothesis cannot be fully supported. Among males, only 3 of the 9 measurements are unaffected by either form of deformation (palate breadth, basion-prosthion length, and nasal breadth), while analysis of females indicates that 4 of the 9 measurements remain unaltered (minimum frontal breadth, orbit breadth, basion-prosthion length, and nasal breadth). Additionally, analogous to the vault, facial measurements display patterns consistent with the deformation applied. Two implications can be drawn from this research: 1) previous studies using these measurements must be interpreted cautiously, and 2) researchers using these measurements must explicitly test their suitability in each population.