Coronal and sagittal suture lengths as novel measurements for sex identification in a sample from the Egyptian population

This study used the lengths of the coronal and sagittal sutures as measurements for sex estimation for the first time. Receiver operato r characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that the combined coronal and sagittal sutures lengths were the best sex discriminator (AUC= 0.859), followed by the coronal suture length (AUC= 0.855), and sagittal suture length (AUC= 0.697). Moreover, regression analysis was performed for sex determi nation; the highest accuracy was obtained by an equation that included the lengths of the coronal and sagittal sutures together (76%); followed by the coronal suture length (75%); then the sagittal suture length (71%). These measurements are easily obtained during a conventional autopsy and this met hod of sex estimation is cost effective when compared to radiological and DNA analysis. Moreover, the measurements can be carried out on dry skulls as long as the vault has identifiable landmarks.
Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology - Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research