Multi-detector computed tomography for the estimation of sex from sternal medullary cavity measurements in Sudanese individuals

Abstract

Estimating sex from fragmentary body parts are pivotal for establishing identity. This study assessed the applicability of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for determining the dimensions of the sternal medullary cavity for sex estimation in the contemporary Sudanese population. The primary and secondary objectives were to assess the applicability of the sternal medullary cavity dimensions for sex estimation in the Sudanese population using MDCT and to compare the application of discriminant functions and logistic regression in sexing. MDCT scans of 180 adult living subjects (87 males, 93 females; age range 18–90 years) were studied. Two medullary diagonal crossing-length dimensions were measured through the midpoint of the first costal cartilage articular facets. Summary statistical analyses with independent t-test were conducted to assess sexual differences. Discriminant function and logistic regression equations were developed to estimate sex. Statistically significant sexual dimorphism was observed for the three measurements (p < 0.001). For sex determination, binary logistic regression performed better than the discriminant function analysis. The best model predicts sex with a rate of accuracy of 82.8% and a sex bias of 2.3%. Therefore, the medullary diagonal crossing-length dimensions can be used for sexing with high accuracy when more accurate body parts are absent.

Keywords

• Forensic
• Sex estimation
• Computed tomography
• Sternum
• Sudanese