Purpose. The structural integrity of foramen magnum is usually preserved in fire accidents and explosions due to its resistant nature and secluded anatomical position and this study attempts to determine its sexing potential. Methods. The sagittal and transverse diameters and area of foramen magnum of seventy-two skulls (41 male and 31 female) from south Indian population were measured. The analysis was done using Student's t-test, linear correlation, histogram, Q-Q plot, and Binary Logistic Regression (BLR) to obtain a model for sex determination. The predicted probabilities of BLR were analysed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. Result. BLR analysis and ROC curve revealed that the predictability of the dimensions in sexing the crania was 69.6% for sagittal diameter, 66.4% for transverse diameter, and 70.3% for area of foramen. Conclusion. The sexual dimorphism of foramen magnum dimensions is established. However, due to considerable overlapping of male and female values, it is unwise to singularly rely on the foramen measurements. However, considering the high sex predictability percentage of its dimensions in the present study and the studies preceding it, the foramen measurements can be used to supplement other sexing evidence available so as to precisely ascertain the sex of the skeleton.

Sex determination is the preliminary step in every forensic investigation and the hard palate assumes significance in cranial sexing in cases involving burns and explosions due to its resistant nature and secluded location. This study analyzes the sexing potential of incisive foramen to posterior nasal spine length, palatine process of maxilla length, horizontal plate of palatine bone length and transverse length between the greater palatine foramina. The study deviates from the conventional method of measuring the maxillo-alveolar length and breadth as the dimensions considered in this study are more heat resistant and useful in situations with damaged alveolar margins. The study involves 50 male and 50 female adult dry skulls of Indian ethnic group. The dimensions measured were statistically analyzed using Student's t test, binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve. It was observed that the incisive foramen to posterior nasal spine length is a definite sex marker with sex predictability of 87.2%. The palatine process of maxilla length with 66.8% sex predictability and the horizontal plate of palatine bone length with 71.9% sex predictability cannot be relied upon as definite sex markers. The transverse length between the greater palatine foramina is statistically insignificant in sexing crania (P=0.318). Considering a significant overlap of values in both the sexes the palatal dimensions singularly cannot be relied upon for sexing. Nevertheless, considering the high sex predictability of incisive foramen to posterior nasal spine length this dimension can definitely be used to supplement other sexing evidence available to precisely conclude the cranial sex.

The rhomboid fossa of clavicle was studied globally by forensic experts and anthropologists to determine the age and sex. This study was done on samples of human clavicles from North Karnataka of South India to determine the sexual dimorphism which is of anthropological, forensic and clinical importance. In this study mid shaft circumference, morphology of rhomboid fossa of clavicle was analysed. The incidences of rhomboid fossa of depressed and elevated types are seen more in males and smooth and flat types are seen mainly in female clavicles. This study also showed relative degree of sexual dimorphism in the mid shaft circumference of male and female clavicles. Since morphology of rhomboid fossa and mid shaft circumference of clavicles are significantly associated with sex, these results can be correlated with further molecular studies. These results may be used as indicators to determine sex in anthropology and forensic science to aid identification of isolated bone specimens.

In this study the foramen magnum was analyzed for sex differences using standard osteometric techniques.We analyzed 100 (55 males and 45 females) skulls from the department of Anatomy, Yenepoya Medical College which were in good condition with a record of sex. The cranial base was visually assessed for foramen magnum shape. Morphometry (anteroposterior diameter (APD) & Transverse diameter (TD)) was determined and their differences by gender (p<0.05) were ascertained.Oval shape was the most common followed by round, tetragonal and pentagonal in both sex. The results demonstrated that sexual dimorphism is present in the foramen magnum. APD and TD were higher in male skulls than females (34.04 vs 31.72 and 28.63 vs 26.59).In incomplete skeletons, metric analysis of the foramen magnum may provide a statistically useful indication as to sex of the unknown skull.