ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 January 1985
Page Count: 8

Determination of Sex with a Discriminant Analysis of New Pelvic Bone Measurements: Part II
Schmidt, DJ
Museum technician, Division Physical Anthropology, Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution,

Schulter-Ellis, FP
Associate professor, University of Maryland School of Medicine, MD

Hayek, LC
Chief mathematical statistician, Mathematics and Statistics Branch, Smithsonian Institution,

(Received 17 March 1984; accepted 7 May 1984)

Abstract

The pelves of 100 white skeletons were measured on both sides for the following: (1) length from the superiormost aspect of the public symphysis to the nearest rim of the acetabulum (PS-A), (2) length from the highest point of the public tubercle to the nearest rim of the acetabulum (PT-A), (3) acetabular diameter (AD), (4) the vertical distance from the anterior aspect of the ischial tuberosity to the farthest rim of the acetabulum (IT-A), and (5) greatest femur head diameter. From these, three indices were derived: AD/PS-A (acetabulum/pubis index), AD/PT-A (acetabular diameter/pubic tubercle-acetabular rim index), and IT-A/PS-A (ischium-acetabulum height/public symphysis-acetabular rim index). The left AD/PS-A ratio and left IT-A height proved statistically to be of greatest discriminating value. Using these two variables, a discriminant function was derived which correctly separated 98% of our sample. The acetabulum/pubis ratio alone correctly assigned 95%. With either the discriminant function analysis of two variables or the acetabulum/pubis index as a single predictor, 97% of our sample of known sex was correctly identified if all specimens that fell within a doubtful or overlapping range of values were sorted by femur head diameter.

Keywords:
physical anthropology, musculoskeletal system, human identification

Paper ID: JFS10979J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10979J
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