16326
Accession Number
26979
Title Of Article Chaper
Sex Determination in Subadults Using Auricular Surface Morphology: A Forensic Science Perspective
Title Of Journal Book
Journal of Forensic Sciences
Volume
37
Issue
4
Pages
1068-1075
Collation
8 p. : ill.
Reference Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references
Publisher
American Society for Testing and Materials
Publisher City
Philadelphia
ISSN
0022-1198
Language Of Text
English
Literature Type
Serial
Literature Level
Analytic
Abstract
The determination of sex in subadult skeletons remains a problem for several areas of biological anthropology. To date, univariate and multivariate assessments of sex in the young using adult indicators have failed to produce reliable results. However, research in this area continues. In 1980, Weaver proposed a modification of adult differences in auricular surface morphology as an effective means for sex determination in subadult remains. His method was indirectly evaluated by Hunt through a comparison of the sex ratios produced by this technique and the expected 1:1 ratio. The present investigation expands upon both studies by using a sample of subadults of known sex, and by evaluating Weaver's method from two perspectives: 1) what percentage of individuals can be correctly sexed using Weaver's criteria? and 2) what is the probability that an individual case will be correctly sexed based on the presence or absence of auricular surface elevation? The first is of interest to those reconstructing population patterns, while the second is critical to the forensic investigator faced with the diagnosis of an individual case. The sample used in this study consisted of 58 ilia from subadults of known sex ranging in age from birth through 18. In each case, sufficient soft tissues were present to allow absolute sex diagnosis. Each ilium was subjected to a blind examination using Weaver's criteria for auricular surface elevation.
Keywords
anthropology;auricular;surface;identification;human;sex
pub_id
16326