Sex Determination Using Proximal Femoral Morphometry in a Nigerian Population
Michael Okon
*
Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria.
Emeka Anthony Osunwoke
Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria.
Emmanuela Onoriode Arthuru
Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: Sex estimation is one of the first and basic aims of forensic anthropology. The femur has been described as the most dimorphic long bone commonly used for sex identification with application of multiple femoral morphometries known to produce more efficient outcomes. The aim of this study is to determine sex of individuals using proximal femoral morphometry in a Nigerian population.
Methods: A total number of 150 dry femur bones (comprising 75 right and 75 left femur) of males and females were used for this study. Measurements which include femoral neck length (anterior and posterior diameter), femoral head diameter (vertical and transverse), proximal breadth and femoral neck thickness were taken using a vernier calliper and values recorded. Results were statistically analysed.
Results: The total mean value for anterior neck length for males was 26.47mm while for females it was 29.88mm, the vertical head diameter for males was 45.63mm while for females it is 47.75mm and the femoral neck thickness for males was 31.78mm and for females was 27.75mm. All the measured parameters except proximal breadth showed significant difference (P<0.05) between the male and female. It was also observed that the value of canonical correlation is 0.498 and 0.390 suggesting a moderate correlation between the set of predictors and the discriminant functions. This resulted in the predictive power for each of the measured parameter to be 49.8% and 39% respectively.
Conclusion: The parameters used in this study showed that there was variation in the mean values of the measured parameters in comparison to other population.
Keywords: Sex determination, proximal femoral morphometry, Nigerian population