Accuracy of cranial and mandible morphological traits for sex determination in Thais.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of sexual dimorphism in the cranium and mandible of Thais using Krogman’s cranioscopy and the modified Krogman’s cranioscopy traits by grading and measurement. Methods: Data were from 101 dry adult skulls (66 males and 35 females) residing in central Thailand. Results: Sex determination using Krogman’s cranioscopy by an inexperienced person had a very high accuracy of 95.5% for males, 82.9% for females respectively and 91.1% overall. According to modified Krogman’s cranioscopy traits by grading, males had larger supraorbital tours, a rougher glabella region and more external occipital protuberance than females. Regarding modified Krogman’s cranioscopy trait by measurement, males had a wider base and a higher mastoid process, with longer and wider occipital condyles than females. Both later methods were also useful in the sexing of fragmented skulls. Conclusion: The cranioscopy study based on 14 traits according to Krogman’s cranioscopy is the best method for sex determination of individual unknown skulls. The modified Krogman’s cranioscopy trait by grading and by measurement is simplified and can very well predict the sexing of fragmented skulls.