Determination of sex from the morphometry of orbits in adult skull of contemporary eastern Indian population

Abstract Background Determination of sex from the structure of orbits in the human skull is well documented. Both morphology and morphometry of the orbits have application in the determination of sex in skeletal remains. These parameters are often population-specific and warrant research on a region...

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Main Authors: Naren Sarkar, Partha Pratim Mukhopadhyay
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2018-11-01
Series:Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41935-018-0092-4
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author Naren Sarkar
Partha Pratim Mukhopadhyay
author_facet Naren Sarkar
Partha Pratim Mukhopadhyay
author_sort Naren Sarkar
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Determination of sex from the structure of orbits in the human skull is well documented. Both morphology and morphometry of the orbits have application in the determination of sex in skeletal remains. These parameters are often population-specific and warrant research on a regional basis. The present study was conducted to examine the sexual dimorphism of orbits in eastern Indian population. It was designed with the objective to determine the sex of the skull from the linear dimensions of orbits by deriving a specific multivariate function for classification. Materials and methods The investigation was conducted on a series of 92 human skulls (61 males and 31 females). The orbital height (OH) and breadth (OB) were measured by using digital vernier calliper. Data analysis was performed by computing descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation and range. Linear discriminant function analysis was carried out to derive a classification model. Results It was noted that the orbital dimensions were more in females than in males. A multivariate function was derived from the discriminant function analysis. The estimated sectioning point or cut off score was calculated to be -0.141. If the score of the function was more than -0.141, then sex can be assigned as male. On the other hand, if it was less than -0.141, then it was female. Likewise, sex could be correctly assigned in 68.5% of the cases by this method. Conclusion This study provides useful baseline orbital morphometric data for East Indian population. When applied in sex determination, this multivariate model returns 68.5% correct classification. It will be useful and easy population-specific method of sex determination from human skulls. This morphometric data can be used in further forensic research involving identification from skeletal remains.
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spelling doaj.art-fdf3a9f8777f4e3c8ff1e386c56bc1b52022-12-22T01:24:24ZengSpringerOpenEgyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences2090-59392018-11-01811610.1186/s41935-018-0092-4Determination of sex from the morphometry of orbits in adult skull of contemporary eastern Indian populationNaren Sarkar0Partha Pratim Mukhopadhyay1Department of Forensic and State Medicine, Burdwan Medical CollegeDepartment of Forensic and State Medicine, Burdwan Medical CollegeAbstract Background Determination of sex from the structure of orbits in the human skull is well documented. Both morphology and morphometry of the orbits have application in the determination of sex in skeletal remains. These parameters are often population-specific and warrant research on a regional basis. The present study was conducted to examine the sexual dimorphism of orbits in eastern Indian population. It was designed with the objective to determine the sex of the skull from the linear dimensions of orbits by deriving a specific multivariate function for classification. Materials and methods The investigation was conducted on a series of 92 human skulls (61 males and 31 females). The orbital height (OH) and breadth (OB) were measured by using digital vernier calliper. Data analysis was performed by computing descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation and range. Linear discriminant function analysis was carried out to derive a classification model. Results It was noted that the orbital dimensions were more in females than in males. A multivariate function was derived from the discriminant function analysis. The estimated sectioning point or cut off score was calculated to be -0.141. If the score of the function was more than -0.141, then sex can be assigned as male. On the other hand, if it was less than -0.141, then it was female. Likewise, sex could be correctly assigned in 68.5% of the cases by this method. Conclusion This study provides useful baseline orbital morphometric data for East Indian population. When applied in sex determination, this multivariate model returns 68.5% correct classification. It will be useful and easy population-specific method of sex determination from human skulls. This morphometric data can be used in further forensic research involving identification from skeletal remains.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41935-018-0092-4Forensic anthropologySex determinationDiscriminant function analysisAdult dry skullDigital vernier calliperOrbital dimensions
spellingShingle Naren Sarkar
Partha Pratim Mukhopadhyay
Determination of sex from the morphometry of orbits in adult skull of contemporary eastern Indian population
Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences
Forensic anthropology
Sex determination
Discriminant function analysis
Adult dry skull
Digital vernier calliper
Orbital dimensions
title Determination of sex from the morphometry of orbits in adult skull of contemporary eastern Indian population
title_full Determination of sex from the morphometry of orbits in adult skull of contemporary eastern Indian population
title_fullStr Determination of sex from the morphometry of orbits in adult skull of contemporary eastern Indian population
title_full_unstemmed Determination of sex from the morphometry of orbits in adult skull of contemporary eastern Indian population
title_short Determination of sex from the morphometry of orbits in adult skull of contemporary eastern Indian population
title_sort determination of sex from the morphometry of orbits in adult skull of contemporary eastern indian population
topic Forensic anthropology
Sex determination
Discriminant function analysis
Adult dry skull
Digital vernier calliper
Orbital dimensions
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41935-018-0092-4
work_keys_str_mv AT narensarkar determinationofsexfromthemorphometryoforbitsinadultskullofcontemporaryeasternindianpopulation
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