NCJ Number
210767
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 50 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2005 Pages: 785-790
Date Published
July 2005
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated McCormick et al's. method of determining sex from skeletal remains by using measurements of chest radiographs.
Abstract
During postmortem examination, chest plates were removed from 130 subjects with documented manner and cause of death, age, population affinity, and sex. The area removed and subsequently x-rayed consisted of the entire sternum with its associated soft tissue; the costal cartilage; and, when available, 2 to 6 cm of the terminal ends of the first through seventh ribs. The thoracic radiographs were taken with a Faxitron cabinet x-ray machine at 40 kV using Kodak Diagnostic Film Ready Pack X-Omat TL. The authors advise, however, that measurable radiographs can be obtained by using conventional x-ray equipment operated at a target distance of approximately 1 meter or more from the breast plate. Measurements were taken to the nearest millimeter with a sliding caliper. Logistic regression analysis of measurements of the sternum and fourth rib was used to determine sex. A multivariate model that used two variables accurately predicted sex between 90.3 percent for females and 95.8 percent for males. Consistent with previously published work, accuracy for all the univariate models was consistently higher, and often at acceptable levels, for males than for females. 5 tables, 4 figures, and 18 references