Sex Estimation in a Modern Forensic Sample Using a Discriminant Function Analysis from the Calcaneus
Date
2010-05
Authors
DiMichele, Daniel
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Abstract
Reliable methods for sex estimation during the creation of a biological profile are important to the forensic community in instances when the common skeletal elements used to assess sex are absent or damaged. Sex estimation from the calcaneus has potentially significant importance for the forensic community. Specifically, measurements of the calcaneus provide an additional reliable method for sex estimation via discriminant function analysis based on a North American forensic population. The calcaneus was chosen for study because of its size and the durability, which permit it to withstand postmortem alteration (Bidmos and Asala 2003, 2004; Drechsler et al 1996; Introna et al. 1997). Previous studies have estimated sex using the calcaneus and other tarsal bones (Bidmos and Asala 2003, 2004; Gualdi-Russo 2007; Introna et al. 1997; Murphy 2002; Steele 1976; Wilbur 1998). However, these studies use populations from an older American sample (birth years from late 19th-early 20th century), Italy,
South Africa, prehistoric Polynesian, and prehistoric Native American and thus are not applicable a modern North American population. It is important to take into account demographics, secular change and regional origin of the collection being used (Komar and Grivas 2008). Due to secular change and regional origin, previous studies must be revised and existing methods evaluated for populations of differing geographic origin. Research on a modern American sample was chosen in order to develop up-to-date population specific discriminant functions for sex estimation. The current study addresses this matter, building upon previous research (Bidmos and Asala 2003, 2004; Gualdi-Russo 2007; Introna et al. 1997; Murphy 2002; Steele 1976; Wilbur 1998) and introduces a new measurement, posterior circumference that promises to advance the accuracy of use of this single, highly resistant bone in future instances of sex determination from partial skeletal remains.Data were collected from The William Bass Skeletal Collection, housed at the University of Tennessee. Sample size includes 320 adult individuals born between the years 1900 and 1985. The sample was comprised of 136 females and 184 males. Skeletons used for measurements were confined to those with fused diaphyses showing no signs of pathology or damage that may have altered measurements, and that also had accompanying records that included information on ancestry, age, and sex. Measurements collected and analyzed include maximum length, load-arm length, loadarm
width, and posterior circumference. The sample was used to compute a discriminant function, based on all four variables, and was performed in SAS 9.1.3. The discriminant function obtained an overall cross- validated classification rate of 86.69%. Females were classified correctly in 88.64% of the cases and males were correctly classified in 84.75% o f the cases. Due to the increasing heterogeneity of current populations further discussion on this topic will include the importance that the re-evaluation of past studies has on modern forensic
populations. Due to secular and micro evolutionary changes among populations, the near future must include additional methods being updated, and new methods being examined, both which should cover a wide population spectrum.
Description
Keywords
Sex estimation, Calcaneus, Human skeleton, Discriminant function analysis, Forensic anthropology, Anthropology
Citation
DiMichele, D. (2010). <i>Sex estimation in a modern forensic sample using a discriminant function analysis from the calcaneus</i> (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas.