Evaluation of Anthropometric Scapula Indices in CT Scan Images for Gender Distinction in the Besat NAHAJA Hospital

Abstract

Background: In forensic medicine, several bones are used to determine gender. The most important and widely used are the skull and pelvis. But in some cases, the mentioned bones may not be available, and other bones, such as the scapula bone, should be used. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate and locate the anthropometric indices of scapula bone in the Iranian population to determine gender. Methods: In this project, a study was performed on a chest scan of 259 Iranians referred to Besat NAHAJA Hospital in 2016. Pack software was used to measure the scapula's indices. The obtained data, including age, gender, and different scapula sizes of max width of glenoid (MWG), max length of glenoid (MLG), max width of scapula (MWS), and max length of scapula (MLS), were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. Assessment of differential ability, sensitivity, and specificity of scapula anthropometric indices was used in determining gender. Results: Of 259 participants in this study, 133 (51.4%) were female, and 126 (48.6%) were male. Generally, the mean index of MWG, MLG, MWS, and MLS was higher in men than women in the studied population. The results of this study showed there is a significant difference among scapula features in men and women (P < 0.05). The highest accuracy in determining gender was assigned to MLS, with 88.9%, and the lowest was assigned to MLG, with 66.3%. Conclusions: Our study showed that measured anthropometric indices, including length and width of scapula bone and glenoid cavity, will help to predict gender and also can be used as an accurate and practical tool in gender determination.