Ontogenetic study of the scapula among some Egyptians: Forensic implications in age and sex estimation using Multidetector Computed Tomography

Abstract

Introduction: Identification is one of the challenging aspects of forensic sciences. Despite the numerous anthropological researches on the scapula, there is a notable lack of information concerning the scapular growth. Aim of the work: Aim of the work was to analyze the growth of the scapula by means of thirteen measurements commonly used for assessment among a sample of young aged Egyptian population, in order to evaluate their significance and capacity for age and sex determination during bone development using reconstructed CT images. Subjects and methods: The study was conducted on 162 Egyptian patients (83 males and 79 females), ranging from birth to 25 years of age, referred to the Radiodiagnosis and Intervention Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University for Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) of the chest. Thirteen measurements were selected on the scapula and were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: A significant positive correlation was detected between the measured scapular variables and the age. Significant sexual dimorphism was identified in four of the scapular measurements in the youngest age group. However, significant differences between the sexes appeared after the cessation of growth in girls, where a large number of variables (the scapular length, breadth, maximum length of the spine, supra and infra scapular height, maximum length of the glenoid mass, thickness of the lateral border, as well as the glenoid, supra-infrascapular indices) were sexually dimorphic. Conclusions: The results achieved from the current study are useful tools in the diagnosis of age and sex in both forensic and bio-archeological identification procedures; however, further studies are strongly suggested.

Keywords

• Forensic anthropology
• Scapula
• Sub-adult
• Ontogeny
• Multidetector Computed Tomography