Morphometric Examination of Scapula to Determine Sexual Dimorphism

Abstract

Background and Aim: Determining the sex of an individual is possible when we apply appropriate statistical
methods using scapular measurements. Determination of sex using scapular measurements is very useful in
medicolegal cases, natural disasters and in certain circumstances in which traditionally used bones of skeleton are
either absent or fragmented. This study aims to assess sexual dimorphism for identification purposes.
Material and Methods: This study was conducted using 40 adult skeletons (25 males and 15 females) with closed
epiphysis having intact and well-preserved scapulae. Scapulae were measured in millimetre for MSH, MSB, GCH
and GCB with the help of the sliding calliper. For all tests, confidence level and level of significance were set at
95% and 5% respectively.
Results: There was a highly significant difference (P < 0.001) between male and female for the mean value of all
measurements. So it indicates the existence of strong sexual dimorphism in scapula.
Conclusion: Geometric morphometrics techniques feature promising results in the evaluation of skeletal sexual
dimorphism, including in the size and shape of the scapula. The results of this study are very useful for sex
determination in forensic anthropological and medicolegal cases where skull and pelvic bones are unavailable or
damaged. The present study has confirmed that gender can be determined with high accuracy by use of scapular
measurements.