Sex estimation using the human vertebra: a systematic review

Afiana Rohmani,Faridah Mohd Nor,Mohamed Swarhib Shafie

doi:10.1186/s41935-021-00238-2

Afiana Rohmani, Faridah Mohd Nor + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-021-00238-2

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Abstract

BackgroundThe vertebral column has been used in forensic studies for its weight-bearing function and relative density. Sex estimation is one of the essential elements in an anthropological examination, as it may narrow down the possibility of a match by half. Hence, it is crucial to derive the population-specific reference data in each vertebra for sex estimation. This systematic review explored the most sexually dimorphic vertebra by using the conventional anthropometric analysis.Main bodyAn electronic comprehensive search was conducted using databases such as Scopus, Web of Science (WOS) and EBSCO Medline for relevant studies between 2008 and 2020. The main inclusion criteria were studies in English, and studies on sex estimation by morphometric analysis of vertebra by CT scan or dry bone. Only studies related to human adult age and vertebra were analysed. Literature search identified 84 potentially relevant articles, in which 19 articles had fulfilled the inclusion criteria. This review included studies on the cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae in different populations.ConclusionThe vertebral spine has demonstrated significant sexual dimorphism with variable prediction accuracies, whereby the body of a vertebra was found to be sexually dimorphic. It was shown that high accuracy of sex classification was provided by the second cervical, twelfth thoracic and first lumbar vertebrae, especially when they were used in combination.

Highlights

The systematic review search protocol PRISMA was adopted in this research study (Fig. 1)
This review summarised the morphometric parameters for sex estimation in different types of vertebrae by both radiographic method and dry bone measurements
Twenty papers were removed as they were nonrelational types neither to single vertebral bone analysis, sexual dimorphism nor morphometric measurements, and these studies were not conducted within the field of forensic anthropology

Summary

Introduction

Methods The systematic review search protocol PRISMA was adopted in this research study (Fig. 1). Sex estimation is one of the essential elements in an anthropological examination, as it may narrow down the possibility of a match by half. Sex estimation is one of the most important elements in anthropological examination It has impact on facilitating the identification of other skeletal parameters such as estimation of age at death, race, stature and relevance to studies of compounding biological factors such as pathological conditions, environmental and dietary habits (Cattaneo 2007; Marlow and KozieradzkaOgunmakin 2016). Accurate estimation of sex (100% accuracy) can be achieved based on the pelvis and skull combined (El Dine and El Shafei 2015) Both pelvis and skull are not always preserved due to severe fragmentation and decomposition. Exploration of sex differences in other bones is important to develop for future studies (Ramadan et al 2017)

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Discussion

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