ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 January 1983
Page Count: 12

Determination of Sex with a Discriminant Analysis of New Pelvic Bone Measurements: Part I
Schmidt, DJ
Museum technician, Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, DC

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

Craig, J
Senior mathematical statistician and statistician, Smithsonian Institution, DC

Hayek, L-A
Senior mathematical statistician and statistician, Smithsonian Institution, DC

(Received 8 May 1982; accepted 22 July 1982)

Abstract

The pelves of 100 black skeletons were measured on both sides for the following: (1) length from the superiormost aspect of the pubic symphysis to the nearest rim of the acetabulum (PS-A), (2) length from the highest point of the pubic 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 (S) 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/pubic 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, followed by sorting with femur head diameter, accurately classified 97% of our sample.

The acetabulum/pubis index alone with subsequent sorting by femur head diameter correctly assigned 96% of our sample. While this does not represent an improvement of predicatability over similar methods using the ischium/pubis index, measurements required for the acetabulum/pubis index are more easily defined and should, therefore, reduce the chance of observer error.

Keywords:
physical anthropology, musculoskeletal system, human identification

Paper ID: JFS12249J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12249J
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