Contributions of anatomy to forensic sex estimation: focus on head and neck bones

Abstract

This study sought to provide an up-to-date review of the importance of anatomy to human identification, focusing on the usefulness of anatomical knowledge about the head and neck bones and teeth to sex estimation in routine forensic anthropology methods. A detailed search of osteology applications in forensic sex estimation was conducted through the electronic databases for the 10 years prior to July 2020. Relevant articles and classic literature on the subject were gathered and are outlined in this review. Among the available literature, several metric analyses showed accuracy superior to 80% in sexual diagnosis. Angles measured from the inclination of glabellae and analysis of the external frontal bone surface through three-dimensional computer-aided design emerge as reliable cranial indexes for sex estimation. in the mandible, the condylar and coronoid height, bigonial width, and coronion-gonion distance express significant sexual dimorphism. Measurements of the canine are the best option for sex estimation using teeth, as well as the thickness of the dentine or enamel of incisors. The axis vertebra surpasses other neck bones for sex estimation due to its atypical shape and the presence of the odontoid process. Metric analyses based on anatomy can provide reliable accuracy in sexual diagnosis. Adequate training and anatomical knowledge can reduce bias and interobserver differences, and the use of three-dimensional models and computed tomography images can enhance the accuracy of these methods for sex estimation. However, every method should be validated before being applied to a different population. KEY POINTS• Anatomy-based metric analyses can provide reliable accuracy in forensic sex estimation. • Glabellae inclination, external frontal bone surface, mandible, and canine teeth measurements can reach accuracies superior to 80% in sexual diagnosis.• The use of three-dimensional models and computed tomography images can enhance accuracy in sex estimation.• every method should be validated before being applied to a different population.

Variations in corpus and ramus measurements based on gonial angles in adult complete dentate mandibles

“…The κ coefficient was 0.83. This result was comparable to that of another study (Mello-Gentil and Souza-Mello, 2022).…”

Metric evaluation of the anterior nasal spine to estimate sex and population group in South African individuals

“…In this study, almost all the cranial variables were significant for population [ 12 ]. Estimation of population is linked to sex and for this reason sex determination is often the first step in the identification process [ 44 ]. A South African study by Işcan and Steyn showed that the crania are more discriminatory than the mandibles especially in females [ 45 ].…”

Architecture of head and neck soft tissues and associated entheses: An exploration of sexual dimorphism in, and population differences between, New Zealand and Thai individuals

“…Therefore, these structures were chosen not only to test these relationships but also because they represent different muscles and ligaments that move and/or stabilise the head and neck (Houseman et al, 2000; Sinnatamby & Last, 2011; Standring, 2021), which may contribute to overall skeletal robusticity. Although interdisciplinary research across anatomy and anthropology is important (Mello‐Gentil & Souza‐Mello, 2021; Rissech, 2021), no existing research has assessed sexual dimorphism and population variation of the soft tissues and entheses of the head and neck. Therefore, this paper aims to present architectural data and analyse sex and population differences in cervical soft tissues (muscles and ligaments) and entheses related to these cranial and clavicular landmarks.…”