ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 7 September 2005
Page Count: 5

Estimation of Sex by 3D CT Measurements of the Foramen Magnum
Gokharman, D
Ankara Training and Research Hospital,

Tuncbilek, I
Ankara Training and Research Hospital,

Kacar, M
Ankara Training and Research Hospital,

Uysal, S
Ankara Training and Research Hospital,

Kosar, U
Ankara Training and Research Hospital,

(Received 10 February 2005; accepted 4 June 2005)

Abstract

The purpose of this prospective study is to investigate the value and accuracy of the measurements of the foramen magnum (FM) by using three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT). Cases were randomly selected among 100 patients (48 males, 52 females) who had temporal CT in the Radiology Department. Seven measurements of the foramen magnum on 3D images, modified from the nine lines previously defined by Giles and Elliot were made. Using Fisher's linear discriminant functions test, the length and width of right condyle and width of FM diameters were found to be statistically different in each sex (p < 0.001) with 81% accuracy. To our best knowledge, this is the first report studying 3DCT measurements of FM, resulting with a sex determination accuracy rate of 81%. CT/3DCT can be reliably used in further investigations to provide basis for anthropometric and forensic issues.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic anthropology, foramen magnum, computed tomography, sex determination, three-dimensional reconstruction

Paper ID: JFS2005058
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2005058
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