Sexual Dimorphism of the Fetal Ilium: A 3D Geometric Morphometric Approach with Multislice Computed Tomography

• NCJ Number: 246131
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 58 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2013 Pages: 851-858
• Author(s): Fatima-Zohra Mokrane M.R.; Fabrice Dedouit Ph.D.; Stéphane Gellée M.R.; Nicolas Sans Ph.D.; Hervé Rousseau Ph.D.; Daniel Rougé Ph.D.; Norbert Telmon Ph.D.
• Date Published: July 2013
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Adult sexual dimorphism is well established.

Abstract

Adult sexual dimorphism is well established. However, data regarding fetuses are sparse with contradictory results. Our study aimed to look for fetal sexual dimorphism. Multislice computed tomography MSCT examinations and three-dimensional 3D reconstructions were recorded on 93 fetal iliac bones aged between 21 and 40 weeks of amenorrhea WA. The collection was divided into two age groups, with a cutoff at 30 WA. The 3D geometric morphometric analysis was based on outline analysis. We used elliptic Fourier analysis EFA because of the difficulty of landmark positioning. Step-by-step reconstructions allowed a better comprehension of the fine shape details. Principal component analysis PCA and linear discriminant analysis LDA were performed on the two age groups. Results did not show any difference between male and female shapes, in both age groups. We demonstrate the feasibility of outline analysis for immature shapes, but sexual dimorphism has not been established in our collection.