Pelvic bone indices as effective parameters of sex determination in skeletal remains: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT

Background: With racial differences, it’s difficult to implement a uniform method for determining sex. Therefore, the need for present study to be carried out was felt. An attempt has been made by carrying out this study to arrive at appropriate conclusions regarding sex determination using dry hip bones representing South-Eastern India (Kancheepuram district region of Tamil Nadu) in relation to the two important indices, the Coxal index (CI), and the Genoves' sciatic notch index(GSI). Methods: Material for the cross-sectional study included 25 dry hip bones of known gender (left sided were 14, right were 11, male hip bones were 15, and female were 10). Coxal index, Genoves' sciatic notch index, Mean and standard deviation (SD) for the indices were calculated. Significance of these indices in sex determination of the hip bones was assessed implementing unpaired t test. Results: When unpaired t test was applied on the mean and standard deviation of Coxal & Genove’s sciatic notch indices of the two groups, Males (n=15) & Females (n=10), the result was statistically very significant. Conclusions: Coxal index values of our present study can be reliably applied for sex determination of dry hip bones of Indian origin. But, our study values can be considered more reliable when using Genoves’ sciatic notch index in determining sex of hip bones of South-Eastern region only (keeping racial variations in mind).