Determination of sex from fragment of hip bone in Indian Bengali.

The present study was designed to derive a model for determination of sex from fragment of adult hip bone (distal ischio-pubic portion) in a population specific sample using Discriminant function analysis. The following discriminant function was obtained: DF = .76*SYL +1.60*SYW + 4.36. *DOF – 24.88 Overall 90.0 % of the cases could be correctly classified in to the two sexes from the three predictors [maximum vertical length of symphyseal surface (SYL), maximum width of symphyseal surface of pubis (SYW) and maximum diameter of the obturator foramen (DOF).] in the model. Cross-validated results showed correct classification in 86.7% cases. The results of this preliminary study show that these three variables contribute to discrimination between the two sexes in the study population. This investigation also reiterates that discriminant functions are population specific. Sexing of the adult human hipbone is thus possible with reasonable accuracy using the discriminant function on a sample obtained from the Indian Bengali population. This metric analysis can be used for fragmentary remains of hipbones of the population under study.

Determination of sex by sciatic notch/acetabular ratio (Kelley’s Index) in Indian Bengali skeletal remains.

Kelley used the sciatic notch is to acetabular ratio as the osteometric method to differentiate between male and female hipbones. The present study was designed to examine the applicability of this index (sciatic notch /acetabular height ratio) and the rule of thumb (of Kelley) in Indian Bengali skeletal remains. A preliminary attempt was made to derive a sectioning point and propose a new ―rule of thumb‖ approach for determining sex from skeletal remains. The study showed that bones with sciatic notch /acetabular height index equal or greater than .93 (or 93 when expressed as a percentage) was definitely female and those with values less than .93 were male. The results of applying this new rule on the present series of Indian Bengali hipbones indicate that 93.3 % of the total sample could be correctly classified in to the proper sex. Of those 92.8% of the males and 93.75% of the females were correctly classified by the new rule. The present new rule of thumb approach is a valid, effective, reliable, population specific and easy method to differentiate between male and female pelvis in Indian Bengali skeletal remains.

Determination of sex from adult sternum by discriminant function analysis on autopsy sample of indian bengali population: A new approach.

Sex determination from skeletal remains is well studied and extensively documented subject. The sternum has drawn considerable attention in Forensic and anthropological studies. Morphological variants of sternum are well documented The present study was designed to examine the sexual dimorphism of adult sternum in a population specific autopsy sample using discriminant function analysis on 70 adult bones (35 male and 35 female). It was observed that the sternum exhibited sexual dimorphism in the study population (Indian Bengali). The following discriminant function was obtained: DF = .86*Ws +1.04 * WM4 +. 77 *PCL 25.03. Overall 100 % of the cases could be correctly classified in to the two sexes from the three predictors [width of supra sternal notch (Ws), Width of sternum at level of 4th rib (WM4) and posterior curved length of sternum (PCL)] in the model. Cross-validated results showed correct classification in 100% cases. The results of this preliminary study show that sternum exhibit considerable sexual dimorphism and these variables contribute to discrimination between the two sexes in the study population. This investigation also reiterates that discriminant functions are population specific. Sexing of adult human sternum is thus possible with reasonable accuracy using the discriminant function on a sample obtained from the said population by this approach using a linear combination of new parameters.

Correlation between maximum femoral length and epicondylar breadth and its application in stature estimation: A population specific study in Indian Bengali Males.

Stature is an important data for identification. Stature of an individual can be estimated from measurement of long bones with the help of established formulae. This method is in practice since 1899. Estimation of stature from bones has anthropological and forensic importance. Changes in the pattern of crime and steady increase in the number of homicides have made these works important and valuable for the administration of law. Excavation of graves, mass casualties and cases where grossly mutilated skeletal remains are found, become difficult and challenging for both the forensic pathologist and physical anthropologist. In India, exposed and unidentified dead bodes are often mutilated by wild animals gnawing the skeletal remains. Bone fragments, often with ends destroyed, are brought for forensic examination. Further, those formulae for long bones are population specific, and also depend on the condition of the available bones. The present study makes an attempt to establish the correlation between epicondylar breadth and maximum femoral length and subsequently its application in stature estimation in Indian Bengali population.

Pattern of renal pathology in fatal envenomation by indian cobra (naja naja).

Deaths due to poisonous snakebite are a significant health related problem especially the rural heartland of in tropical countries. Renal involvement in snakebite is well documented especially so in bites by the Viperidae group. The Elapidae family consisting of cobra and kraits among other varieties are mainly considered neurotoxic. The venom of neurotoxic variety predominantly has direct depressing action on the respiratory center and neuromuscular junction. We investigated the renal changes at autopsy and histology of fatal cobra bites. This series included autopsy examination of 14 cases of fatal cobra bite in our hospital-based study. Dissected kidneys were sectioned, stained with hematoxylin & eosin stain and histological examination was done under light microscope. Five cases from head injury subject were used as control. The study reveals renal involvement in 64.28 %of fatal bites by Indian cobra (Naja naja) primarily considered neurotoxic. The major renal changes were tubular necrosis 1(7.14%), cortical necrosis 3 (21.42%) and interstitial nephritis 3(21.42%). This fact is worth giving due consideration during management and monitoring of cases of envenomation by cobra.