Sex Determination from Hand and Foot Bone Lengths^*

Abstract

Numerous studies have addressed sex estimation from the hands and feet with varying results. These studies have utilized multiple measurements to determine sex from the hands and feet, including measures of robusticity (e.g., base width and midshaft diameter). However, robusticity measurements are affected by activity, which can disguise underlying patterns of sexual dimorphism. The purpose of this study is to investigate the utility of length measurements of the hands and feet to estimate sex. The sample consists of white females (n=123) and males (n=136) from the Terry Collection. Discriminant function analysis was used to classify individuals by sex. The left hand outperformed both the right hand and foot producing correct classification rates exceeding 80%. Surprisingly, the phalanges were better sex discriminators than either the metacarpals or metatarsals. This study suggests that length measures are more appropriate than robusticity measures for sex estimation.

A method for sex estimation using the proximal femur

“…As suggested by other researchers [34][35][36], sex-specific accuracy possibly relates with secular change in bone dimensions, usually associated with a higher misclassification of females when employing a method fitted in a chronologically older sample that has, in comparison, been affected by a positive secular trend. FNAL, at least, is known to display secular change in both sexes, with a more pronounced increase in women [37].…”

Sex determination from hand dimensions for forensic identification

“…Then arose the trend to determine sex from long bone measurements. 7,11 Then, it is recognized that anthropometric measurements of the hand has been very useful tool in sexual dimorphism detection. [12][13][14][15][16] This is also shown with the discriminant function equation that hand bone length measurements have been sexually dimorphic 17,18 Literature review suggests that sex can be determined with metacarpals length, 19,20 with first proximal phalanx 21 , with measurements and foot index.…”

“…However, the issue of Sex discrimination can be very complicated in cases of intersex, bodies in advanced state of putrefaction, mutilated, fragmentary and skeletonized remains in which it is common to recover dismembered & peripheral parts of the body. Forensic anthropologists routinely work with skeletonised and badly decomposed bodies, and collect osteometric data which is generally very straight-forward and stature estimation from various parameters [2][3][4][5] such as Hand outlines 6 and determination of sex 7,8 are often the easiest component for generation of the biological profile. But, the collection of osteometric data can be more challenging when dealing with fleshed remains as there is the need for soft tissue dissertation.…”

Sex determination for using hand and wrist measurements in Turkish population.

“…Kimliği belli olmayan ceset, ceset parçaları ve iskelet kalıntılarından cinsiyetin, boyun ve yaşın tespit edilmesine yönelik çalışmalar kimliklendirme açısından önemlidir (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Özellikle bu çalışmalar sonucunda elde edilen veriler büyük kitle felaketlerinde kurbanların kimliklendirilmesinde oldukça yararlıdır (7,8).…”