Fetal sex determination in light of interdisciplinary current studies: a forensic anthropological approach

Abstract

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to highlight the situation and importance of fetal sex determination in the context of forensic anthropology. Suggestions have been made about the development of this subject with current approaches and interdisciplinary perspectives.Materials and Methods: Fetal osteology is one of the topics that needs to be developed within forensic anthropology. New techniques are needed both due to lack of sample and to the limited methods that can be applied to this age group. In this respect, a literature review was conducted within the scope of studies on fetal sex determination. It has been revealed how the applications of different disciplines in this field can be adapted to forensic anthropology.Results: The vast majority of current studies emphasize that ilium gives reliable results in fetal sex determination. Often evaluated in both clinical applications and forensic anthropological studies, this bone is subjected to morphological and morphometric analyses. Conclusion: Perspectives of interdisciplinary approaches will enable the development of fetal sex determination studies within forensic anthropology and will play an important role in identification studies. The use of technological tools such as ultrasound for fetal sex determination is thought to be useful for the development of forensic anthropological techniques as in clinical applications. Testing new techniques on fetal sex prediction is expected to contribute to many areas such as growth - development, genetics, embryology, neonatology and endocrinology.