ABSTRACT

SEXUAL DIMORPHISM BASED ON DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHS OF THE

METACARPALS AND THE CALCANEI

Introduction
The main goal in the forensic examination of a deceased, other than the cause, manner
and the time of death, is identification. When the face and the fingerprints are well
preserved, the identification process can be concluded without any particular difficulties.
However, when presented with cases of decomposition or fire victims these features may
be absent. Difficulties increase if the only biological material available for examination is
limited to a few bones. Accordingly the development of new techniques, which may be
applied both in forensic anthropology and osteoarchaeology, are required in order to
effectively perform a biological profile of the skeletal remains present.

The examination of morphological characteristics of the skeleton, which are highly

dimorphic, can lead to the classification of the samples in regards to determine sex. Some
bones, such as the pelvis and skull, vary significantly in males and females. The fact that
these bones are not always present for examination (was the cause) created the need to
develop sex identification techniques for other bones, such as the long bones, the scapula,
etc. Additionally, repeated attempts at measuring skeletal remains bear the risk of
damaging the sample. Such an event is not desired, particularly in forensic cases in which
the bones serve as evidence or when examining unique archaeological material.

A simple but effective way to examine human remains is radiography, which is already
used in cases of decomposed bodies, as well as in mass disaster events. Lately, scientists
have developed identification methods based on measurements of long bones in
radiographs, showing similar results in comparison to the classic osteometric methods.
This radiometric method has the potential to become an application in everyday forensic
practice.
Aim of the study
The purpose of this research is the development of specific anthropometric techniques in
order to determine the characteristics of sexual dimorphism. In addition, as a database for
the Cretan population will be created, it will be possible to compare this sample to other
population groups for the first time. The radiometric method in metacarpals and calcanei
is expected to give satisfactory results to an extent that will be scientifically accepted as
reliable in forensic practice. This application should lead to the quick and easy
determination of sex in cases of mass disasters, thus speeding up the identification
process.

Material and Methods

The skeletal material was selected from the Cretan collection, a modern osteological
collection housed at the Department of Forensic Sciences of the University of Crete. The
collection includes Cretans who died between 1968 and 1998.

Using a digital calliper, 7 measurements took place on each one of the right and left
metacarpal bones. Right metacarpal bones were examined from 77 skeletons, and left
metacarpal bones from 81 skeletons. Also, 174 right calcanei and 164 left calcanei were
examined. For each calcaneus 10 measurements were taken.

This is the first study of a Cretan population, where measurements from digital
radiographs of metacarpals and calcanei were taken in order to determine sex. A total of
154 pairs of right and left metacarpal bones were digitally x-rayed. Four radiometric
measurements were taken for each right and left metacarpal bone and one radiometric
measurement on the reference point (metal ruler with known dimensions). Furthermore,
175 pairs of calcanei were digitally x-rayed in a superior position, and 166 right and 157
left calcanei were digitally x-rayed in a lateral position. Six radiometric dimensions were
measured on all left calcanei, in the superior view, and 4 in the lateral view.

Discriminant function analysis was performed using SPSS 13 (Statistical Package for
Social Sciences).

Results
Osteometry:
-The differences between the means in males and females were significant (p < 0.001) for
all measurements in all cases.

-There are statistically significant differences between the mean values of left and right
bones for most of the variables at p <0.05.
-Sex determination of the metacarpals based on the osteometric method gave correct
classification rates up to 81% for univariate and up to 85.1% for the multivariate
equations. The equation with the largest percentage of correct classification for the left
metacarpal bones was noted for MTC II (85.1%), and MTC III (82.7%) for the right
metacarpal bones.

-For the left calcanei the percentage of correct classification using a single variable
ranged from 71.4% to 82.4%, and for the right calcanei from 72% to 80.3%. The rates
were improved up to 84% in both cases when combinations of variables were used.
-These results are inconsistent with two recent studies for metacarpals and calcanei
performed on a modern skeletal collection from Athens. This clearly indicates the need to
provide specific standards for the Cretan population, in order to achieve a more reliable
estimation of sex in forensic cases.

-The posterior probabilities for the highest performing equations were calculated.

Radiometry:
-Statistically significant differences were found between left and right metacarpal bones
for most variables.

-The determination of sex using digital radiographs in metacarpals and calcanei is

possible by correctly classifying up to 89% and 85% respectively.
Conclusions:

1. The osteometric method of the metacarpal bones and the calcanei is highly accurate
within the Cretan population, and a database of anthropometric data of these specific
bones was created for the first time for this population.

2. The determination of sex using digital radiographs of metacarpals and calcanei is

possible, correctly classifying up to 89.4% and 84.7%, respectively.

3. The radiometric method may alternatively be used in cases of mass disasters or charred
victims. In addition, it is the method of choice when examining unique and sensitive
archaeological material, as it carries no risk of their destruction.

4. The equations derived from the bone collection of Athens are not appropriate for the
Cretan sample. It is therefore important to develop separate standards in order to
determineination sex accurately for this population.