Research Progress and Forensic Application of Human Vascular Finite Element Modeling and Biomechanics.

The finite element method (FEM) is a mathematical method for obtaining approximate solutions to a wide variety of engineering problems. With the development of computer technology, it is gradually applied to the study of biomechanics of human body. The application of the combination of FEM and biomechanics in exploring the relationship between vascular injury and disease, and pathological mechanisms will be a technological innovation for traditional forensic medicine. This paper reviews the construction and development of human vascular FEM modeling, and its research progress on the vascular biomechanics. This paper also looks to the application prospects of FEM modeling in forensic pathology.

HIF1-α upregulation induces proinflammatory factors to boost host killing capacity after Aspergillus fumigatus exposure.

Aims: HIF1-α is an important transcription factor in the regulation of the immune response. The protective function of HIF1-α in the host epithelial immune response to Aspergillus fumigatus requires further clarification. Methods: In this study we demonstrated the effect of upregulation of HIF1-α expression in A549 cells and mouse airway cells exposed to A. fumigatus in vivo. Results: The killing capacity was enhanced by boosting proinflammatory factors both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, airway inflammation was reduced in the HIF1-α-upregulated mice. Conclusion: We identified a protective role for HIF1-α in anti-A. fumigatus immunity. Modulation of HIF1-α might be a target for the development of aspergillosis therapy.

Forensic Pathological Diagnosis of Acute and Old Myocardial Infarction Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.

OBJECTIVES: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to analyze myocardial infarction tissues at different stages of pathological change to achieve the forensic pathology diagnosis of acute and old myocardial infarction. METHODS: FTIR spectra data of early ischemic myocardium, necrotic myocardium, and myocardial fibrous tissue in the left ventricular anterior wall of the sudden death group of atherosclerotic heart disease and the myocardium of the normal control group were collected using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining as a reference, and the data were analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean normalized spectra of control myocardium, early ischemic myocardium and necrotic myocardium were relatively similar, but the mean second derivative spectra were significantly different. The peak intensity of secondary structure of proteins in early ischemic myocardium was significantly higher than in other types of myocardium, and the peak intensity of the α-helix in necrotic myocardium was the lowest. The peaks of amide Ⅰ and amide Ⅱ in the mean normalized spectra of myocardial fibrous tissue significantly shifted towards higher wave numbers, the peak intensities of amide Ⅱ and amide Ⅲ were higher than those of other types of myocardium, and the peak intensities at 1 338, 1 284, 1 238 and 1 204 cm-1 in the mean second derivative spectra were significantly enhanced. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) showed that FTIR could distinguish different types of myocardium. CONCLUSIONS: FTIR technique has the potential to diagnose acute and old myocardial infarction, and provides a new basis for the analysis of the causes of sudden cardiac death.

Forensic Pathological Diagnosis of Acute and Old Myocardial Infarction Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to analyze myocardial infarction tissues at different stages of pathological change to achieve the forensic pathology diagnosis of acute and old myocardial infarction.@*METHODS@#FTIR spectra data of early ischemic myocardium, necrotic myocardium, and myocardial fibrous tissue in the left ventricular anterior wall of the sudden death group of atherosclerotic heart disease and the myocardium of the normal control group were collected using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining as a reference, and the data were analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis.@*RESULTS@#The mean normalized spectra of control myocardium, early ischemic myocardium and necrotic myocardium were relatively similar, but the mean second derivative spectra were significantly different. The peak intensity of secondary structure of proteins in early ischemic myocardium was significantly higher than in other types of myocardium, and the peak intensity of the α-helix in necrotic myocardium was the lowest. The peaks of amide Ⅰ and amide Ⅱ in the mean normalized spectra of myocardial fibrous tissue significantly shifted towards higher wave numbers, the peak intensities of amide Ⅱ and amide Ⅲ were higher than those of other types of myocardium, and the peak intensities at 1 338, 1 284, 1 238 and 1 204 cm-1 in the mean second derivative spectra were significantly enhanced. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) showed that FTIR could distinguish different types of myocardium.@*CONCLUSIONS@#FTIR technique has the potential to diagnose acute and old myocardial infarction, and provides a new basis for the analysis of the causes of sudden cardiac death.

Research Progress and Forensic Application of Human Vascular Finite Element Modeling and Biomechanics / 法医学杂志

The finite element method (FEM) is a mathematical method for obtaining approximate solutions to a wide variety of engineering problems. With the development of computer technology, it is gradually applied to the study of biomechanics of human body. The application of the combination of FEM and biomechanics in exploring the relationship between vascular injury and disease, and pathological mechanisms will be a technological innovation for traditional forensic medicine. This paper reviews the construction and development of human vascular FEM modeling, and its research progress on the vascular biomechanics. This paper also looks to the application prospects of FEM modeling in forensic pathology.

The Effect of GPX2 on the Prognosis of Lung Adenocarcinoma Diagnosis and Proliferation, Migration, and Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition.

Objective: To investigate the expression of glutathione peroxidase 2 (GPX2) in human lung adenocarcinoma tissues and its effect on the biological function of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. Methods: The expression of GPX2 in lung adenocarcinoma and its effect on survival were analyzed by the TCGA database and the GEPIA 2 database. A total of 45 cases of primary lung adenocarcinoma tissue specimens and 45 cases of their paracancerous tissue specimens were collected, and the expression of GPX2 in the two types of tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. Lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells were divided into the GPX2 overexpression group (GPX2), the GPX2 knockdown group (si-GPX2), the empty vector group (Vector), the siRNA negative control group (si-NC), and the WT group; the mRNA level and protein expression of GPX2 in each group of A549 cells were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting; the proliferation activity of each group of cells was detected by the CCK-8 assay; the effect of GPX2 on cell migration and invasion ability was detected by the scratch assay and the Transwell invasion assay; the apoptosis of each group of cells was detected by flow cytometry; Western blotting was performed to detect the expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, E-cadherin, vimentin, and MMP2 and MMP9 proteins in each group of cells. Results: Bioinformatics analysis showed that the expression of GPX2 was strongly correlated with the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma patients (P < 0.01). The positive expression rates of GPX2 in lung adenocarcinoma and its paracancerous tissues were 66.0% and 15.7%, respectively (P < 0.05). The results of RT-qPCR and Western blotting showed that the expression level of GPX2 mRNA and protein in A549 cells in the GPX2 group increased, which was significantly higher than that in the WT group (P < 0.05); the expression levels of GPX2 mRNA and protein in A549 cells in the si-GPX2 group were the same, that is, significantly lower than the WT group (P < 0.05). GPX2 overexpression promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of A549 cells and inhibited their apoptosis; the results in the si-GPX2 group were opposite to those in the GPX2 group. Compared with the WT group, the expression of Bcl-2, vimentin, and MMP2 and MMP9 protein in the GPX2 group increased (P < 0.05), while the expression of Bax and E-cadherin protein decreased in the GPX2 group (P < 0.05); the results in the si-GPX2 group were opposite to those in the GPX2 group. Conclusion: The expression of GPX2 in lung adenocarcinoma is related to the prognosis of patients. It is proved that GPX2 can promote the migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells and is related to the EMT/ß-catenin pathway. Thus, GPX2 is expected to be an important target for the diagnosis and treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates by three novel species of Marinobacterium.

Several species of novel marine bacteria from the genus Marinobacterium, including M. nitratireducens, M. sediminicola, and M. zhoushanense were found to be capable of producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) using sugars and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) as the carbon source. M. zhoushanense produced poly-3-hydroxybutytate (PHB) from sucrose, achieving a product titer and PHB content of 2.89 g/L and 64.05 wt%, respectively. By contrast, M. nitratireducens accumulated 3.38 g/L PHB and 66.80 wt% polymer content using butyrate as the substrate. A third species, M. sediminicola showed favorable tolerance to propionate, butyrate, and valerate. The use of 10 g/L valerate yielded 3.37 g/L poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), with a 3-hydroxyvalerate (3 HV) monomer content of 94.75 mol%. Moreover, M. sediminicola could be manipulated to produce PHBV with changeable polymer compositions by feeding different mixtures of VFAs. Our results indicate that M. sediminicola is a promising halophilic bacterium for the production of PHA.

Pulmonary PMCT angiography by right ventricle cardiac puncture: a novel, promising approach for investigating pulmonary thromboembolism.

Forensic scholars are paying more attention to postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) and PMCT angiography (PMCTA), which are gradually becoming effective and practical methods in forensic practice. However, few studies have focused on the application of PMCTA to cardiac ventricular puncture-especially of the right ventricle. In this article, we introduce a pulmonary PMCTA approach by right ventricle cardiac puncture and its potential value in fatalities from pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). The procedure was performed on 11 males and 6 females. PMCT was performed first; then a biopsy core needle was used for percutaneous puncture of the right ventricle under CT guidance. About 400 mL of contrast media was injected at a rate of 50 mL/8 s, followed by CT scanning. Visualization of the pulmonary artery contrast filling was complete in 9 cadavers, and the pulmonary arteries showed significant filling defects in 8 subjects. Unlike in clinical practice, the phenomenon of postmortem coagulation sometimes occurs in the vascular lumina after death. Therefore, the results of these 8 cases can only suggest or be highly suspicious of death from PTE. Then autopsy and histopathological examination confirmed that 4 of the above 8 patients were diagnosed with PTE; the remaining 4 had postmortem clot including chicken fat clot in the pulmonary artery. Pulmonary PMCTA approach is a simple, convenient, and effective method for the visualization of the pulmonary artery, which can be used as an effective auxiliary tool to identify PTE in forensic practice. It will also provide technical support to further investigate PTE imaging characteristics.

Parameterized Analysis of Craniocerebral Injury Caused by Fist / 法医学杂志

Objective Based on the theory of biomechanics, the finite element method was used to study the injury characteristics of different parts of brain hit by fist with different force and to predict the risk of craniocerebral injury, in order to provide reference for actual medical protection and forensic identification. Methods The finite element model of fist was constructed by using DICOM data modeling method and related software, and the effective mass and speed of fist were used to represent the kinetic energy of fist, and combined with human finite element model THUMS 4.02, the characteristics of craniocerebral injury caused by frontal and lateral blows were parametrically simulated. Results The probability of direct death from a blow to the head was low, but as fist power increased, so did the risk of craniocerebral injury. The characteristics of craniocerebral injury were also significantly different with the different fist hitting head locations. When the frontal area was attacked, the maximum equivalent stress of skull was 122.40 MPa, while that of brain tissue was 4.31 kPa. When the temporal area was attacked, the maximum equivalent stress of skull was 71.53 MPa, while that of brain tissue was 7.09 kPa. Conclusion The characteristics and risks of skull fracture and brain tissue injury are different when different parts of the brain are hit by fist. When the frontal area is hit, the risk of skull fracture is significantly higher than when the temporal area is hit. The risk of brain tissue injury is the opposite. The position with the highest probability of skull fracture is generally the place where the skull is directly impacted, and with the conduction of stress waves, it will spread to other parts of the skull, while the position with the highest risk of brain tissue injury is not the place where the brain is directly impacted.

Ribosomal Protein L40e Fused With a Ubiquitin Moiety Is Essential for the Vegetative Growth, Morphological Homeostasis, Cell Cycle Progression, and Pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans.

Ubiquitin is a highly conserved protein required for various fundamental cellular processes in eukaryotes. Herein, we first report the contribution of the ubiquitin fusion protein Ubi1 (a ubiquitin monomer fused with the ribosome protein L40e, Rpl40e) in the growth and pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans. UBI1 deletion resulted in severe growth restriction of C. neoformans, whose growth rate was positively correlated with UBI1 expression level. The growth defect of the ubi1Δ strain could be closely associated with its morphological abnormalities, such as its reduced ribosome particles. In addition, the ubi1Δ mutant also displayed increased cell ploidy, cell cycle arrest, and decreased intracellular survival inside macrophages. All these phenotypes were reversed by the reconstitution of the full-length UBI1 gene or RPL40a domain. Mouse survival and fungal burden assays further revealed a severely attenuated pathogenicity for the ubi1Δ mutant, which is probably associated with its reduced stress tolerance and the induction of T-helper 1-type immune response. Taken together, Ubi1 is required for maintaining the vegetative growth, morphological homeostasis, cell cycle progression, and pathogenicity in vivo of C. neoformans. The pleiotropic roles of Ubi1 are dependent on the presence of Rpl40e and associated with its regulation of cryptococcal ribosome biogenesis.

Radiomics nomogram for prediction disease-free survival and adjuvant chemotherapy benefits in patients with resected stage I lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Robust imaging biomarkers are needed for risk stratification in stage I lung adenocarcinoma patients in order to select optimal treatment regimen. We aimed to construct and validate a radiomics nomogram for predicting the disease-free survival (DFS) of patients with resected stage I lung adenocarcinoma, and further identifying candidates benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT). METHODS: Using radiomics approach, we analyzed 554 patients' computed tomography (CT) images from three multicenter cohorts. Prognostic radiomics features were extracted from computed tomography (CT) images and selected using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression model to build a radiomics signature for DFS stratification. The biological basis of radiomics was explored in the Radiogenomics dataset (n=79) by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Then a nomogram that integrated the signature with these significant clinicopathologic factors in the multivariate analysis were constructed in the training cohort (n=238), and its prognostic accuracy was evaluated in the validation cohort (n=237). Finally, the predictive value of nomogram for ACT benefits was assessed. RESULTS: The radiomics signature with higher score was significantly associated with worse DFS in both the training and validation cohorts (P<0.001). The GSEA presented that the signature was highly correlated to characteristic metabolic process and immune system during cancer progression. Multivariable analysis revealed that age (P=0.031), pathologic TNM stage (P=0.043), histologic subtype (P=0.010) and the signature (P<0.001) were independently associated with patients' DFS. The integrated radiomics nomogram showed good discrimination performance, as well as good calibration and clinical utility, for DFS prediction in the validation cohort. We further found that the patients with high points (point ≥8.788) defined by the radiomics nomogram obtained a significant favorable response to ACT (P=0.04) while patients with low points (point <8.788) showed no survival difference (P=0.7). CONCLUSIONS: The radiomics nomogram could be used for prognostic prediction and ACT benefits identification for patient with resected stage I lung adenocarcinoma.

Estimation of sex based on patella measurements in a contemporary Chinese population using multidetector computed tomography: An automatic measurement method.

Sex estimation is an important part of creating a biological profile, and ultimately assisting in creating a presumptive identification of unidentified skeletal remains. However, manual methods of anthropometric are time-consuming and prone to observer variability. The present study is an attempt to estimation of sex from automatic measurement of patella by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in a contemporary Chinese population. Four measurements for every patella, including maximum height (MAXH), maximum breadth (MAXB), maximum thickness (MAXT) and patellar volume (PV), were automatically provided by the software from CT image of 300 Chinese. The sample is composed of 156 males and 144 females with an average age of 41.44 and 45.68 years, respectively. The statistical analyses showed that all variables were sexually dimorphic. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to estimate sex from patella. The univariate analysis of each patellar parameter yielded a sex classification accuracy rate of 73.1% to 85.7%. The classification accuracy rates of sex estimation using the combination of the patellar parameters are 81.9% to 91.6%. This paper provides indications that the patella is important bone for sex estimation and it may be used as an alternative in forensic cases when the skull and pelvis are unavailable.

Transcription factor Liv4 is required for growth and pathogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans.

Cryptococcus neoformans is an important invasive fungal pathogen that causes life-threatening meningoencephalitis in humans. Its biological and pathogenic regulatory mechanisms remain largely unknown, particularly due to the presence of those core transcription factors (TFs). Here, we conducted a detailed characterization of the TF Liv4 in the biology and virulence of C. neoformans. Deletion of TF Liv4 protein resulted in growth defect under both normal and stress conditions (such as high temperature and cell wall/membrane damaging agents), drastic morphological damage and also attenuated virulence in C. neoformans. These phenotypic changes might be contributed to transcriptional abnormality in the liv4Δ mutant, in which several cryptococcal genes involved in energy metabolism and cell wall integrity were downregulated. Furthermore, ChIP-seq and ChIP-qPCR assays suggested TF Liv4 might exert its regulatory function in transcription by its activation of RBP1 in C. neoformans. Taken together, our work highlights the importance of TF Liv4 in the growth and virulence of C. neoformans, and it facilitates a better understanding of cryptococcal pathogenesis mechanisms.

Research Status of Postmortem MSCT Angiography in Forensic Science / 法医学杂志

Virtual autopsy is a new technique for investigating the morphological changes of cadaveric tissues and organs by medical imaging technology. It has been widely used in the identification of causes of death. Multislice spiral computed tomography （MSCT） has become a routine inspection method in some identification institutions, although it cannot completely replace traditional autopsy, it plays a key auxiliary or substitute role in the identification of certain abnormal causes of death. Plain MSCT scan cannot visualize cadaveric vessels, but can perform cadaveric angiography to determine vascular injury or disease. This technology has entered a rapid development period in recent years, and has made a considerable progress in contrast agent, perfusion methods and imaging methods. This article summarizes several common cadaveric MSCT angiography methods, such as systemic angiography, angiography through cardiopulmonary resuscitation, targeted angiography, and angiography by cardiac puncture, and analyzes and compares the application prospects.

Research Progress on Estimation of Postmortem Interval Using mRNA and ncRNA / 法医学杂志

Postmortem interval （PMI） estimation has always been an important and difficult issue in the field of forensic pathology. In recent years, research progress on the estimation of PMI using RNA specific variation patterns after death has been made by researchers at home and aboard. This paper summarizes the specific application methods of messenger RNA and non-coding RNA for PMI estimation based on the literatures and discusses the existing problems and development trends, in order to provide technical reference for related studies and estimation practice.

Analysis of Influencing Factors of Single Camera Photogrammetry in Forensic Three-Dimensional Reconstruction / 法医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the influence of factors such as the selection of equipment, focal length and the selection of reconstruction quality in the reconstruction software on the reconstruction results of single camera photogrammetry and provide reference for the forensic application of single camera photogrammetry. Methods The 19 skulls were measured by traditional measurement method and single camera photogrammetry. The differences between the two measurement methods and within the group with same equipment but different focal length were analyzed. One skull and one corpse were selected as the research objects. According to the reconstruction quality selection conditions in the photogrammetric software, the experimental group was divided into five grades. The model reconstructed by optical scanner was defined as reference model, while the model reconstructed by single camera photogrammetry was defined as test model. The test model was aligned with the reference model, 3D deviation analysis was carried out and the mean error and root mean square （RMS） values were calculated. Results The differences between EOS 7D zoom group and traditional measurement, and within the group with same equipment had statistical significance （P<0.05）. The mean error value and minimum RMS value of the skull reconstructed by single camera photogrammetry and the three-dimensional model of the corpse existed in the medium quality group, and the trend was basically the same. Conclusion The equipment and focal length has no obvious influence on the results of single camera photogrammetry. Lower reconstruction quality can easily cause distortion, while higher reconstruction quality can easily generate noise, so medium quality is preferred.

Application of Artificial Intelligence Automatic Diatom Identification System in Practical Cases / 法医学杂志

Objective To discuss the application of artificial intelligence automatic diatom identification system in practical cases, to provide reference for quantitative diatom analysis using the system and to validate the deep learning model incorporated into the system. Methods Organs from 10 corpses in water were collected and digested with diatom nitric acid; then the smears were digitally scanned using a digital slide scanner and the diatoms were tested qualitatively and quantitatively by artificial intelligence automatic diatom identification system. Results The area under the curve （AUC） of the receiver operator characteristic （ROC） curve of the deep learning model incorporated into the artificial intelligence automatic diatom identification system, reached 98.22% and the precision of diatom identification reached 92.45%. Conclusion The artificial intelligence automatic diatom identification system is able to automatically identify diatoms, and can be used as an auxiliary tool in diatom testing in practical cases, to provide reference to drowning diagnosis.

Evaluation of 3D Measuring Methods for Body Surface Damage and Scars / 法医学杂志

Objective To assess the accuracy and reliability of the two 3D measuring methods, structured-light scanning and single-camera photogrammetry in forensic body surface damage and scar measurement. Methods The measuring results of 86 injuries by the ruler method, structured-light scanning and single-camera photogrammetry were compared and evaluated. The area measuring results of 13 simulated scars by the structured-light scanning, single-camera photogrammetry, Photoshop lasso pixel method and PDF reading software were compared and evaluated. The time consumed was recorded. The known specification information of the stickers was used as the standard value to compare the measuring accuracy of the ruler method, structural-light scanning and single-camera photogrammetry, and to calculate the root mean square error （RMSE）. The consistency evaluation of intraclass correlation coefficient （ICC） for the repeatability of 3 measuring results obtained by different operators and the same operator. Results The differences in results of the two 3D measuring methods and the ruler method had no statistical significance; the differences between measuring results made by the structured-light scanning, single-camera photogrammetry and PDF reading software and that of the Photoshop lasso pixel method had no statistical significance. The post-processing of the single-camera photogrammetry consumed more time than that of other methods. When the long-distance group （10-40 cm） was measured, the results obtained by the ruler method were shorter than the standard value. The RMSE value results were structured-light scanning < single-camera photogrammetry < ruler method. The ICC value intragroup and intergroup were greater than 0.99. Conclusion Both structured-light scanning and single-camera photogrammetry can be applied in recording and measuring forensic body surface damage. The former has better performance in measurement accuracy and stability, while the latter has better color performance but longer post-processing time.

Exploring of the Mechanism of Rib Fracture Caused by Landing on Different Parts of the Trunk after Falls from Height Using Finite Element Method / 法医学杂志

Objective To study the mechanism of rib fracture caused by landing on different parts of the trunk using finite element method, and to provide some new techniques and new ideas for the reconstruction of the whole process of falls from height. Methods The finite element method was used to study the rib fracture of human security model THUMS4.0 caused by landing on different parts of the trunk. Then the model was compared with actual cases and the mechanism of rib fracture caused by falls from height was analyzed from a biomechanical point of view. Results There were some differences in the stress and strain distribution as well as the rib fracture sites when different parts touched the ground. Ribs on both sides of the body were fractured when the front of the trunk touched the ground, and the fractures were mainly located in the junction of the ribs and costal cartilage and the midaxillary line area. When the right anterior part of the trunk touched the ground, rib fracture occurred first on the side that touched the ground, and rib fractures were mainly located in the area from the right midaxillary line to the posterior axillary line, and junction of ribs on both sides and costal cartilage. When the back of the trunk touched the ground, the fracture sites were mainly located on the back of the ribs on both sides. When the right posterior part of the trunk touched the ground, multiple rib fractures were likely to occur in the parts that touched the ground. The plastic strains were mainly concentrated at the fracture sites, while the von Mises stresses were not only concentrated at the fracture sites, but also at other sites. Conclusion There are some differences in rib fracture location sites and injury mechanisms when different parts of the trunk touch the ground.

Estimation of stature and sex from skull measurements by multidetector computed tomography in Chinese.

The present study is an attempt to estimation of stature and sex from skull measurements by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in contemporary Chinese. In the present study, fifteen measurements for every skull were taken from CT image of 382 Chinese. The sample was composed of 200 males and 182 females with an average age of 47 and 46 years, respectively. Discriminant function was used in sex determination and regression analysis was used in stature estimation from skull measurements. The stepwise analysis of all measurements yielded a sex classification accuracy rate of 89.3%. The classification accuracy rates of the univariate discriminant function analyses were from 50.5% to 84.8%. For stature estimation, the standard error of estimate (SEE) ranged from 5.072 to 6.355 cm for male, from 5.090 to 5.829 cm for female, respectively. This study is the first to provide a metric and statistical characterization of the skull in contemporary Chinese, and indicates that it is feasible to sex estimation by skull measurement. Furthermore, the equations presented for stature estimation in this study may be used as alternatives in forensic cases, particularly in cases where better predictors such as the long bones are not available.