Testing the accuracy of determining sex from the calcaneus, talus, and metacarpals on individuals of known sex
Class
Article
Graduation Year
2017
College
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department
Sociology, Social Work & Anthropology Department
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Pat Lambert
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
Forensic Anthropologists and Bioarcheologists are often called upon to determine the sex of human skeletal remains. The most common method of sex determination involves the os coxae, followed by the skull and femur as the most often used elements when the os coxae is missing or incomplete. However, due to predation and decay, the ossa coxae, skull, and femurs are often gone by the time anthropologists study the remains. As such, it has become increasingly important to develop other methods of sex estimation based on elements that preserve better. This research focuses sex determination using measurements of hand and foot bones- specifically the metacarpals, calcaneus, and talus- as these small, dense bones preserve well and have been used for this purpose with some degree of success in the past. In order to determine the accuracy for estimating sex, measurements were taken from 110 individuals identified as ethnically “black” and “white” in the William M Bass Donated Skeletal Collection located at the University of Tennessee. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine which, if any,of these bones provided an accurate estimation of sex and to identify which measurements were most useful. The results of this study offer a better understanding of sexual dimorphism in the size and shape of metacarpals, calcanei, and tali, and offer new insights for using these skeletal elements for estimating sex in skeletonized human remains.
Location
Room 421
Start Date
4-13-2017 10:30 AM
End Date
4-13-2017 11:45 AM
Testing the accuracy of determining sex from the calcaneus, talus, and metacarpals on individuals of known sex
Room 421
Forensic Anthropologists and Bioarcheologists are often called upon to determine the sex of human skeletal remains. The most common method of sex determination involves the os coxae, followed by the skull and femur as the most often used elements when the os coxae is missing or incomplete. However, due to predation and decay, the ossa coxae, skull, and femurs are often gone by the time anthropologists study the remains. As such, it has become increasingly important to develop other methods of sex estimation based on elements that preserve better. This research focuses sex determination using measurements of hand and foot bones- specifically the metacarpals, calcaneus, and talus- as these small, dense bones preserve well and have been used for this purpose with some degree of success in the past. In order to determine the accuracy for estimating sex, measurements were taken from 110 individuals identified as ethnically “black” and “white” in the William M Bass Donated Skeletal Collection located at the University of Tennessee. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine which, if any,of these bones provided an accurate estimation of sex and to identify which measurements were most useful. The results of this study offer a better understanding of sexual dimorphism in the size and shape of metacarpals, calcanei, and tali, and offer new insights for using these skeletal elements for estimating sex in skeletonized human remains.