Classification of Sex and Ancestry from Metatarsal Bones by Radiographic Analysis

Abstract

It is difficult to accurately estimate sex and ancestry from incomplete skeletal remains; particularly when the skull and pelvis are absent. It is necessary to be able to accurately estimate a biological profile from multiple bones because skeletal remains are often found incomplete. Metatarsal bones are ideal candidates for estimation of sex and ancestry because they are more numerous than other post‐cranial bones and are usually found intact enclosed in shoes, protected from taphonomic influences. The goal of this study was to evaluate the presence of sexual and ancestral differences in metatarsal bones from a modern population. To evaluate these differences, we analyzed radiographs taken between 2003 and 2012, recording length and width measurements of metatarsal bones. We then performed discriminant function analysis to determine which measurements were most useful to classify sex and ancestry. We found that we could correctly classify sex and ancestry independently, 78.4% and 59.3% of the time, respectively; additionally 45.9% of individuals were correctly classified when sex and ancestry were pooled. In conclusion, our data suggests that there are sexual and ancestral differences present in metatarsal bones. Furthermore, our results suggest that a whole set of metatarsals is preferred to estimate sex and ancestry, with an emphasis placed on the first metatarsal bone.Grant Funding Source: LECOM Internal Grant