Discrete Traits of the Sternum and Ribs: A Useful Contribution to Identification in Forensic Anthropology and Medicine

Verna, Emeline; Piercecchi-Marti, Marie-Dominique; Chaumoître, Kathia; Bartoli, Christophe; Léonetti, Georges; Adalian, Pascal

doi:10.1111/1556-4029.12111

Cited by 29 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…When applying bone measurements for sex estimation, one must consider the degree of bone preservation after the exposure to taphonomic conditions. It seems that the sternum is usually a relatively well preserved bone, making it an important candidate for identification purposes (22,23). For example, the sternum preservation in the sample of Bongiovanni and Spradley was around 60% (24).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex estimation of the sternum by automatic image processing of multi-slice computed tomography images in a Croatian population sample: a retrospective study

et al. 2019

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Aim To determine the sexual dimorphism of the sternum with standard measurements in a contemporary Croatian population sample using multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and to compare the data obtained by an automatic with those obtained by a manual approach. Methods Five sternal measurements were obtained from MSCT images of 73 men and 55 women and three sternal indices were calculated. Custom image analysis software was developed for automatic segmentation and calculation of sternal measurements. Measurements of sexual dimorphism were automatically calculated and compared with manual measurements. Results All of the sternal measurements exhibited significant differences between men and women. The discrepancies between manual and automatic measurements ranged from 2.8% to 3.6% of the mean average values obtained with the automatic approach. The most accurate single-variable discriminant function was sternal body length (82.8%), the most accurate index was sternal area (89.1%), and the discriminant function using three variables was manubrium width, sternal body length, and sternal body width (90.6%). Conclusion Sternal measurements are a reliable sex indicator and can be used in forensic casework. Computer-aided measurement methods can accelerate sex estimation and improve its precision and accuracy.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex estimation of the sternum by automatic image processing of multi-slice computed tomography images in a Croatian population sample: a retrospective study

et al. 2019

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“…Computed tomography was used for determination of sex from discrete traits of the sternum and ribs in different population such as in Bosnian (Kimmerle et al, 2008), in French (Verna et al 2013) in Indian and (Changani et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of Sex From Sternal Dimensions in Upper Egypt Population By Using Multislice Computed Axial Tomography

Aal

Yossef

2014

Ain Shams Journal of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology

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Sex determination is an important step in personal identification which can be done from bones examination either from their metric measurements or radiograph images especially in difficult identification as dismemberments, mutilations and explosions. The present study was designed to assess the possibility of sex determination from sternal measurements by multislice computed axial tomography (MSCT) and generate statistical equations that can be used to determine sex from sternum in Upper Egypt persons. This study was performed on one hundred and sixty healthy living Upper Egypt persons (80 males and 80 females) of age 18-80 years old during MSCT investigation of the chest region, in department of radiodiagnosis in Assiut University hospital after informed consent. Fourteen sternal measurements were taken including manubrium length, sternal body length, combined length of the manubrium and sternal body, sternal index, manubrium width at tip, width and base, sternal body width at articulation with 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th and 6 th ribs and two virtual angles of sternum. First angle lies between two intersected virtual lines made along the lateral aspect of the upper part of the sternal body and the lateral aspect of the manubrium. Second angle lies between two virtual lines drawn along the lateral margins of the lower part of sternal body and xiphoid process. The data were analyzed statistically. Results of this study demonstrated that the male measurements showed higher statistical significant values than females measurements except sternal index. Use of the multiple and simple regression equations of relation between sternal measurements and sex demonstrated that the total body length was the most significant parameter for sex prediction. The discriminant function analysis revealed correct sex prediction in known Upper Egyptians by 93%. The multivariant logistic regression can give correct sex prediction in unknown Upper Egyptians by 85.4%. This study concluded that sex determination can be done through sternal measurements including the virtual sternal angles, the MSCT is a trustful method for bone measurement during forensic investigation and sex prediction from measurements of all sternal parts is higher than those from single part.

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“…The list of the assessed skeletal features is certainly not exhaustive, and a priori excludes nonmetric skeletal traits that have been shown to be useful for personal identification . However, nonmetric skeletal traits can only be used for comparisons when suitable antemortem imaging is available.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Utility of Skeletal and Surgical Features for the Personal Identification Process: A Pilot Study

Cappella

Gibelli

Obertová

et al. 2019

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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This pilot study provides a conceptual framework for the application of the anthropological analysis of skeletal features and surgical interventions for the purpose of identification in cases of unknown deceased individuals with unavailable fingerprint, genetic or odontological antemortem data. The study sample includes 276 individuals with known demographic and clinical information from the Italian CAL Milano Cemetery Skeletal Collection. In the sample, 124 (45%) individuals showed one or more skeletal features that may be potentially individualizing. Of these, 79% showed two and more features, which occurred in a multitude of different combinations. Skeletal findings may provide useful postmortem information that can be compared with antemortem witness statements and clinical imaging. However, more research into the utility of dry bone findings and the availability of comparative material, including imaging, and epidemiological data needs to be undertaken before skeletal features can be implemented into identification protocols and databases.

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Discrete Traits of the Sternum and Ribs: A Useful Contribution to Identification in Forensic Anthropology and Medicine

Cited by 29 publications

References 19 publications

Sex estimation of the sternum by automatic image processing of multi-slice computed tomography images in a Croatian population sample: a retrospective study

Sex estimation of the sternum by automatic image processing of multi-slice computed tomography images in a Croatian population sample: a retrospective study

Determination of Sex From Sternal Dimensions in Upper Egypt Population By Using Multislice Computed Axial Tomography

The Utility of Skeletal and Surgical Features for the Personal Identification Process: A Pilot Study

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