Sex Determination through Pelvic Bone Using Anteroposterior Radiographs

Abstract

Background: Forensic anthropology uses digital radiography to identify victims' gender, despite the population-specific nature of determining gender from bones, offering a cost-effective and straightforward method. The objective of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of the digital radiography technology for sex recognition of the selected participant group in Hyderabad, Sindh

Time and location: Cross-sectional study conducted by department of Forensic medicine Liaquat University of medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro and Isra University Hyderabad at the outpatient of Liaquat University hospital, Hyderabad from February to May 2023.

Methods: The study included male and female patients aged 18-50 years and was authorized by the Research and Ethics Committee LUMHS. Study participants were divided into two groups; male and female.  Differences in pelvis bone fragments parameters like iliac height, inter-acetabular distance, pelvic inlet (breadth), acetabulum diameter, pubic length, Ischial length and ischio-pubic index on digital x-ray radiographs of both groups were examined and compared. 

Results: A statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in bony prominence parameters including inter-acetabular distance, acetabular diameter, breadth of the pelvic inlet, pubic length, ischial length and ischio-pubic index was observed between group A and group B. The study revealed that the accuracy in recognizing male individuals through ileum height (68.8%), inter-acetabular distance (64.7%), and the pelvic inlet breadth (61.0 %)

Conclusion:

The iliac height, inter-acetabular distance, pelvic inlet (breadth), inter-acetabular diameter, pubic length, Ischial length and ischio-pubic index on radiographs (x-rays) of pelvic bones are a reliable bone fragments parameters in sex determination with high precision.