Population specificity of sex estimation from vertebrae

Hora, Martin; Sládek, Vladimı́r

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.08.015

Cited by 32 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…This ultimately results in a dichotomous decision which is not suited for sex estimation of skeletal remains. Methods to calculate the reliability of an estimate (in the absence of posterior probabilities) have been proposed in previous studies (9,16,17), but have not experienced widespread implementation.…”

Section: Discriminant Function Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Getting Rid of Dichotomous Sex Estimations: Why Logistic Regression Should be Preferred Over Discriminant Function Analysis

Bartholdy

Sandoval

Hoogland

et al. 2020

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Sex estimation is an important part of creating a biological profile for skeletal remains in forensics. The commonly used methods for developing sex estimation equations are discriminant function analysis (DFA) and logistic regression (LogR). LogR equations provide a probability of the predicted sex, while DFA relies on cutoff points to segregate males and females, resulting in a rigid dichotomization of the sexes. This is problematic because sexual dimorphism exists along a continuum and there can be considerable overlap in trait expression between the sexes. In this study, we used humeral measurements to compare the performance of DFA and LogR and found them to be very similar under multiple conditions. The overall cross‐validated (leave‐one‐out) accuracy of DFA (75.76–95.14%) was slightly higher than LogR (75.76–93.82%) for simple and multiple variable equations, and also performed better under varying sample sizes (94.03% vs. 93.78%). Three of five DFA equations outperformed LogR under the B index, while all five LogR equations outperformed the DFA equations under the Q index. Both methods saw an improvement in overall accuracy (DFA: 86.74–95.79%; LogR: 86.74–95.76%) when individuals with a classification probability lower than 0.80 were excluded. Additionally, we propose a method for calculating additional cutoff points (PMarks) based on posterior probability values. In conclusion, we recommend using LogR over DFA due to the increased flexibility, robusticity, and benefits for future users of the statistical models; however, if DFA is preferred, use of the proposed PMarks facilitates future analysis while avoiding unnecessary dichotomization.

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Section: Discriminant Function Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Getting Rid of Dichotomous Sex Estimations: Why Logistic Regression Should be Preferred Over Discriminant Function Analysis

Bartholdy

Sandoval

Hoogland

et al. 2020

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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“…Missing values reduce the available sample for the calculation of multivariate models (Cardoso, 2008; Jerković et al, 2016). Notwithstanding, Hora & Sládek, 2018 had demonstrated that models derived from a sample of estimated sex with a size as small as ( n = 30–34) could provide accurate and consistent sex classification in the whole population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sample specific sex estimation method using parameters around dominant nutrient foramina in unknown femur bones collection of contemporary Egyptians

Attia

El-Dine

Attia

et al. 2020

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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Because there is no widely accepted sexing method of fragmented femoral diaphyses, we argue that the diaphyseal diameters and circumference around nutrient foramina (NF) have comparable sex discrimination capacity to their mid-shaft counterparts. Construction of reliable reference sample (n = 61, 29 males and 32 females) using the undocumented Alexandria University Osteological Collection was contingent upon consistent sex estimation of the epiphyses using population and sample specific methods. Statistically significant size differences were found between the males and females diaphyseal measurements around NF. Low intraobserver measurements error and high sexual dimorphism indices were observed in the new measurements at NF level. The logistic regression analysis revealed that combinations of anteroposterior diameter and circumference at both levels were the optimal models for sex classification. Testing in the holdout sample showed complete agreement in the results between both models. The best model at the level of NF achieved consistent total sex allocation of 81.1% with high probability >0.80 of correct estimates in approximately 60% of the reference sample. A great applicability pertinent to sex estimation of a tubular fragment of femur bearing a single NF using the diaphyseal measurements around it because the maximal length is not required to determine the location of the mid-shaft measurements.

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“…The human skeletons present differential characteristics such as prominences, rugosity, crests, apophysis, and lengths, which characterize the sexual dimorphism. [ 8 9 ] The morphological analysis of the bony pelvis represents the most credible technique for sex estimation;[ 10 11 ] however, the skeleton may be incomplete; missing the pelvis, or the bony pelvis, may be not well preserved preventing its analysis. [ 11 ] Hence, it is essential to develop methods which permit sex estimation using other bones from the skeletal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At crime scenes, the most found bones are the skull, the femur, and the jaw,[ 13 ] but there is a huge possibility to find the atlas vertebra in these cases. The vertebrae are considered the best preserved skeletal bones in many cases,[ 11 ] such as mass disasters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sexual dimorphism through the study of atlas vertebra in the Brazilian population

Padovan

Ulbricht

Groppo

et al. 2019

J Forensic Dent Sci

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Background: Sex determination by linear measurements of the bones is widely used because of the several kinds of death in which the corpses can be damaged. Aim: The aim of this study was to establish a logit for sexual dimorphism through measurements of the atlas vertebra. Settings and Design: The principle sample was composed of 191 skeletons belonging to the Forensic Physical Anthropology Laboratory Prof. Eduardo Daruge. However, first, a calibration with other 25 skeletons was carried out. Materials and Methods: Using a digital caliper, linear measurements were made of the anteroposterior diameter of the atlas vertebra (variable A), anteroposterior diameter of the rachidian canal (variable B), transverse diameter of the rachidian canal (variable C), and maximum transverse diameter of the atlas vertebra (variable D). Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed using IBM ® SPSS ® 25 Statistics program. Results: The mean measurements of all four variables for men were higher than that for women, being observed that variable D obtained the major discrepancy between the sexes. Considering both sexes, the variable C obtained the best results of standard deviation, while the variable D achieved the worse results. The t -test observed acceptance about hypothesis that exists differences between the gender and all four measures assessed. The logit developed is sex = −24.970 + 0.183 × A + 0.230 × D, in which “A” represents anteroposterior diameter of the atlas and “D” represents the maximum transverse diameter of the atlas. Conclusion: This model results in 81.2% accuracy, 85.5% sensitivity, and 75.3% specificity.

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Population specificity of sex estimation from vertebrae

Cited by 32 publications

References 47 publications

Getting Rid of Dichotomous Sex Estimations: Why Logistic Regression Should be Preferred Over Discriminant Function Analysis

Getting Rid of Dichotomous Sex Estimations: Why Logistic Regression Should be Preferred Over Discriminant Function Analysis

Sample specific sex estimation method using parameters around dominant nutrient foramina in unknown femur bones collection of contemporary Egyptians

Sexual dimorphism through the study of atlas vertebra in the Brazilian population

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