Sex Estimation From Mandible by Computerized Tomography Images and Discriminant Function Analysis in an Eastern Turkish Population

Abstract

The mandible is one of the best alternatives for sex estimation owing to its significant sexual dimorphism. The current study, which included a large case series and was conducted in an Eastern Turkish adult populatio n, sought to assess the ability of mandibular measurements to estimate sexual dimorphism and investigate correlations between mandibular measurements and age and sides. On mandibular CT scans, 24 parameters for 240 cases were measured twice by two research ers. The mean values were compared based on sex, mandibular side, and age. Sex estimation rates were determined using univariate, linear, and stepwise discriminant analysis. Male mandibles had higher linear measures. The maximum accurate sex estimation rat e from the mandible was obtained in the multivariate DFA at 97.5% in males and 96.7% in females. Males and females had higher rates on the left and right sides, respectively. The data obtained with this study on this Eastern Turkish population, which both confirms previous research and suggests new ideas, and the high sex estimation rates obtained from these data, are thought to be an extremely useful database for future studies in the fields of forensic anthropology and archaeology for sex estimation.