Anthropometric Measurements of Adult Human Skull for Determination of Sex and Stature in a population sample from Haryana state (India)

Abstract

Introduction: The study of human skulls in the state of Haryana was carried out to explore the objective methods of determination of sex and stature, by using anthropometric measurements; and therefore, help in the identification of gender and stature of a person. Materials and Method: The study was carried out on 100 dead bodies, 60 males and 40 females. Measurements of length, breadth and circumference of the skull and length of the body were made directly on each deceased. The known heights of the combined data were analysed against the anthropometric variables. Significant sexual dimorphism was observed for the parameters studied. Results: The length of the mastoid process and horizontal circumference of the skull are the most important criteria for sex determination as it could sexually differentiate more than 92% of the skulls. Skulls were positively males when the maximum length ofthe skull is > 176.59 mm, maximum breadth ofthe skull is > 124.04 mm, length ofmastoid process is > 22.49 mm, depth of infratemporal fossa is > 24.03 mm and horizontal circumference of skull is > 511.68 mm; and positively females when these parameters were < 172.71 mm, < 121.87 mm, < 22.54 mm, < 22.60 mm and < 506.72 mm respectively. Multiplication factor (9.24 - 9.45) calculated from the maximum length of the skull is not of much significance for accurate stature estimation, however, the range of error in estimation of stature from regression analysis method is much lesser.