Identification of sex using cranial base measurements

Abstract

It is well known that the skull provides elements for sex identification. Twenty-two bones form the cephalic cranium and they are divided into neurocranium and splancnocranium. This research aimed to study different characteristics between skulls from both sexes by evaluating the following measurements: mastoid notch to incisive foramen (right and left side); mastoid notch to mastoid notch; and incisive foramen to basion. In order to do so, two hundred skulls were selected (100 males and 100 females), with information about the age of the subjects (20-55 years old), sex and ethnic group known according to records at the Imaculada Conceicao Cemetery, located in the city of Campinas, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Measurements were taken using a digital calliper. The results were subjected to a statistical analysis (logistic regression and discriminate function) and showed dimorphic characteristics within the measurements. A formula with 79.9% accuracy was established for sex identification (logito = 25.2772 – 0.1601 x incisive foramen to basion – 0.0934 x mastoid notch – mastoid notch). The authors have concluded that the method is efficient and suitable for anthropology and forensic purposes. The research also showed that the analysis may be carried out using a practical computer program.