An Investigation into the Relationship between Human Cranial and Pelvic Sexual Dimorphism

When faced with commingled remains, it might be assumed that a more “masculine” pelvis is associated with a more “masculine” cranium, but this relationship has not been specifically tested. This study uses geometric morphometric analyses of pelvic and cranial landmarks to assess whether there is an intra‐individual relationship between the degrees of sexual expression in these two skeletal regions. Principal component and discriminant function scores were used to assess sexual dimorphism in 113 U.S. Black individuals. Correlation values and partial least squares regression (PLS) were used to evaluate intra‐individual relationships. Results indicate that the os coxae is more sexually dimorphic than the cranium, with element shape being more sexually dimorphic than size. PLS and correlation results suggest no significant intra‐individual relationship between pelvic and cranial sexual size or shape expression. Thus, in commingled situations, associations between these skeletal elements cannot be inferred based on degree of “masculinity.”     

Quantifying Sexual Dimorphism in the Human Cranium: A Preliminary Analysis of a Novel Method

In forensic anthropology, sexually dimorphic cranial features are traditionally visually assessed and scored using an ordinal scale, which is highly subjective. This study quantifies six cranial features using original three‐dimensional coordinate measurements to provide greater accuracy in sex estimation. Cranial features include supraorbital ridges, glabella, external occipital protuberance, nuchal protuberances, mastoid processes, and frontal bosses. Measurements were taken using coordinate calipers from 158 White and Black male and female crania from the Maxwell Documented Collection at University of New Mexico and Tennessee's Bass Collection. Overall, 72.2% of the crania were correctly classified. Males were correctly classified 69.9% of the time, while females were correctly classified 74.7% of the time. The overall value is similar to the results from traditional methods and suggests this method may be just as reliable as established visual sex estimation techniques.     

Improving Sex Estimation from Crania Using a Novel Three‐dimensional Quantitative Method,,

This study utilizes an innovative 3D approach to discover metric variables that obtain the highest classification rates for sex estimation from the cranium. Models were constructed from 222 cranial CT scans of U.S. Whites from the Bass Donated Collection. These models were used to create a statistical bone atlas that captures the primary shape variation in the skull and facilitates rapid computer‐automated analyses. The bone atlas showed that important size‐related sex variables are bizygomatic breadth, maximum cranial length, cranial base length, and mastoid height. Shape‐related variables capture sex differences in the projection of the glabellar region, inclination of the frontal, and cranial base flexion. In addition, vault thickness is highly dimorphic, with females having on average thicker vaults in the frontal region, and males having thicker vaults in the occipital region. Cross‐validated linear discriminant analysis obtained >95% accuracy (97.5% with 11 variables and 95.5% with eight variables).     

西南地区成人面颅骨的性别判定

目的建立适合西南地区成人的颅骨性别判定函数。方法性别明确的颅骨67个,测量颅骨最大长、颅骨最大宽、颅高等16项指标,所得数据进行统计学分析,建立单一变量及多变量性别判定方程,并对5个无名颅骨进行回带检验。结果 16项指标中有13项存在显著的性别差异,男性大于女性,单变量函数推断性别以鼻高(男78.4%,女83.3%)、颅骨最大长(男83.8%,女73.3%)准确率较高。多变量性别判定函数以颅周长、鼻高贡献最大,判定准确率男89.2%,女90.0%。结论单变量推断颅骨性别以鼻高或颅骨最大长较为理想,但以颅周长、鼻高联合推断性别准确率更高。     

Sex Estimation from Human Cranium: Forensic and Anthropological Interest of Maxillary Sinus Volumes

Sex estimation is a key objective of forensic science. We aimed to establish whether maxillary sinus volumes (MSV) could assist in estimating an individual's sex. One hundred and three CT scans were included. MSV were determined using three‐dimensional reconstructions. Two observers performed three‐dimensional MSV reconstructions using the same methods. Intra‐ and interobserver reproducibility were statistically compared using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (α = 5%). Both intra‐ and interobserver reproducibility were perfect regarding MSV; both ICCs were 100%. There were no significant differences between right and left MSV (p = 0.083). No correlation was found between age and MSV (p > 0.05). We demonstrated the existence of sexual dimorphism in MSV (p < 0.001) and showed that MSV measurements gave a 68% rate of correct allocations to sex group. MSV measurements could be useful to support sex estimation in forensic medicine.     

Santeria and Palo Mayombe: Skulls, Mercury, and Artifacts

Abstract:  Santeria and Palo Mayombe are syncretic religions created in the New World based upon African religious beliefs combined with Christianity. The main worship of Palo Mayombe involves religious receptacles that may contain earth, sticks, varied artifacts, and animal and human remains. Due to the use of human and nonhuman remains, discovery of these items often leads to involvement by the police due to a concern of homicide. We review in detail the medical examiner records of two of these ritualistic cases including the autopsy, anthropology, police, and investigators' reports. For the human remains, careful consideration of the context in which the remains were recovered, their state of preservation, and the associated artifacts (e.g., beads and mercury) are important in determining the appropriate level of forensic significance. Anthropological examination with particular attention to taphonomic characteristics also may help determine the origin and forensic significance.     

浅析跌倒所致颅脑损伤的特点

跌倒所致颅脑损伤以后仰倒枕、项部着地为多见,分为着力点损伤、颅骨整体变形和对冲性脑挫伤,对冲性脑挫伤比着力点的脑损伤严重。跌倒所致颅脑损伤与其他方式所致颅脑损伤有着不同的法医学特征。