Racial Determination using

Skull
Notes on Page 101
Definitions
 Nasal index – the ratio of the nasal cavity; measure the
widest part of the nasal cavity and divide by the length
from the top of the nasal bone to bottom of nasal spine
 Nasal spine – located at the base of the nasal cavity on
the top part of the maxilla
 Nasal silling or guttering – on the base of the nasal
cavity (on either side of the nasal spine); there will be
sharp ridges (nasal silling), rounded ridges or no ridges
(nasal guttering)
 Prognathism – extended jaw; make a line from the
bottom of the nose down to the chin; if line touches, the
skull is not prognathic; if line does not touch chin, the
skull is prognathic
Caucasian Nasal Index

 Nasal
Width =
 21.8 mm
 Nasal
Length =
 48.1 mm
 Nasal
Index =
21.8/48.1
= 0.453
African Nasal Index

 Nasal
Width =
 26.4 mm
 Nasal
Length =
 47.6 mm
 Nasal
Index =
26.4/47.6
= 0.554
Asian Nasal Index

 Nasal
Width =
 25.8 mm
 Nasal
Length =
 46.1 mm
 Nasal
Index =
25.8/46.1
= 0.560
Comparison of Nasal Indexes
 Generally, here is the range of nasal
indexes for the different races
 Caucasian < 0.48
 African > 0.53

 Asian 0.48-0.53
 Nasal Spines

Caucasian African Asian

Caucasian – usually prominent spine

African – usually small spine
Asian – usually somewhat prominent spine
 Nasal Silling and Guttering

Caucasian African Asian

Caucasian – silling (sharp ridges)

African – guttering (smooth at base)
Asian – rounded edges
 Prognathism

Caucasian African Asian

Caucasian – straight
African – prognathic
Asian – varies
Eye Orbital Shape

Caucasian (top left) – round; somewhat square

African (bottom left) – rectangular or square

Asian (top right) – rounded; somewhat circular