SEX

DETERMINATIO
N

Department of Forensic Odontology

Faculty of Dental Medicine Universitas Airlangga
INTRODUCTIO
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 “As humans, we have three
basic racial groups: Caucasoid,
Mongoloid, and Negroid. Each
group possesses unique
skeletal characteristics which
allow us to race the remains of
person. In addition, we can
also estimate age, sex, and
stature”

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introduc tio n

Skeleton is an excellent material in living and non-living

population for genetic, anthropological, and forensic
investigation.

Skull and bone features vary from male to female and

differentiation is usually based on the male features that are
typically more pronounced and marked than females features.

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The determination of sex by examination
of the skeleton is based upon the
appearances of:
1. Pelvis
2. Skull (cranium + mandible)
3. Long bones (humerus, femur)
4. Sternum
5. Scapula, metacarpal bones

Krogman ranks accuracy of sex

determination using pelvis at 95%, the
skull at 90%, the pelvis + skull at 98%, and
long bones at 80%
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BASIC PRINCIPLE
The evaluation of sexual dimorphism in skeleton is generally based on two
factors:
1. Size difference
2. Function related differences

Size: males usually larger than females

Robusticity & muscularity: more evident in males
Function: unique female pelvic characteristics related to childbirth function

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BASIC PRINCIPLE
Determination of sex is based on two
methodological approaches::

1. Morphological (based on shape). Adults

males & females differ in both general
size and shape.

2. Osteometric (based on bone dimensions)

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SKULL
The skull is a bony structure which serves as the general framework for
the head. The skull supports the structure of the face and protects the head
against injury.

The skull can be subdivided into two parts:

1. The cranium

2. The mandible

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SKULL
The features that indicate sex are:
 General appearance
 Supra orbital ridge
 Orbits
 Glabella
 Zygomatic arches
 Mastoid processes
 External occipital protuberance
 Mandible
 Palate
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SKULL
 When compared, the female
skull appears smaller and more
gracile.

 The male skull is usually larger

and more rugged

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SKULL
Brow ridge:

 Male : more pronounced

 Female : less pronounced

Supraorbital margin:

 Male : round & dull

 Female : sharper

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SKULL
Orbits:

 Male : squarish with roundish

margin

 Female : roundish with sharp

margin

Glabella:

 Male : well developed

 Female : ill developed

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SKULL

Zygomatic arches:

 In females, the zygomatic arches is narrower, less

pronounced, and tends to not extend posteriorly beyond the
external auditory meatus

 In males, the zygomatic arches is wider, more pronounced/

robust, and tends to extend posteriorly beyond the external
auditory meatus

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SKULL

Mastoid processes:

Located on portion of the temporal bone, just

posterior to the external auditory meatus.

 Males: larger and more blunt

 Females: smaller and more pointed

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SKULL

External occipital protuberance:

Inion maybe more prominent in males,

sometimes to point of appearing hook-shaped

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cranium differences in males & females

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M ANDIBL E
The mandible is the largest and the strongest
bone of the face. It forms the lower jaw and
holds the lower teeth in place.

Commonly, males & females mandible are

distinguished by general size, chin shape, gonial
angle, & gonial flare

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MAND IB L E
General size
 Male : larger & thicker
 Female : smaller & thinner
Chin
 Male : tends to have a square
shape
 Female : tends to have a
rounded/ pointed chin
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MAND IB L E
Ascending Ramus
 Male : greater breadth
 Female : smaller breadth
Angle of ramus
 Male : less obtuse
 Female : more obtuse

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PE LVIS
The pubis, sacrum, and ilium of the pelvis are
bones that have the most obvious differences
between males and females

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PE LVIS
 females have wider subpubic angle
 females have a sciatic notch > 90°
 females have a broad pelvic inlet
 females have a broad, shovel-like
ilium
 females have a flexible pubic
symphysis
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THANK
S!

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