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International Journal of Legal Medicine
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Open Access 30-04-2024 | Computed Tomography | Original Article

What we see is what we touch? Sex estimation on the skull in virtual anthropology

Authors: Sandra Braun, Nicole Schwendener, Fabian Kanz, Sandra Lösch, Marco Milella

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 5/2024

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Abstract

Background

The increased use of virtual bone images in forensic anthropology requires a comprehensive study on the observational errors between dry bones and CT reconstructions. Here, we focus on the consistency of nonmetric sex estimation traits on the human skull.

Materials and methods

We scored nine nonmetric traits on dry crania and mandibles (n = 223) of archaeological origin and their CT reconstructions. Additionally, we 3D surface scanned a subsample (n = 50) and repeated our observations. Due to the intricate anatomy of the mental eminence, we split it into two separate traits: the bilateral mental tubercles and the midsagittal mental protuberance. We provide illustrations and descriptions for both these traits.

Results

We obtained supreme consistency values between the CT and 3D surface modalities. The most consistent cranial traits were the glabella and the supraorbital margin, followed by the nuchal crest, zygomatic extension, mental tubercles, mental protuberance, mental eminence, mastoid process and ramus flexure, in descending order. The mental tubercles show higher consistency scores than the mental eminence and the mental protuberance.

Discussion

The increased interchangeability of the virtual modalities with each other as compared to the dry bone modality could be due to the lack of tactility on both the CT and surface scans. Moreover, tactility appears less essential with experience than a precise trait description. Future studies could revolve around the most consistent cranial traits, combining them with pelvic traits from a previous study, to test for accuracy.
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Metadata
Title
What we see is what we touch? Sex estimation on the skull in virtual anthropology
Authors
Sandra Braun
Nicole Schwendener
Fabian Kanz
Sandra Lösch
Marco Milella
Publication date
30-04-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 5/2024
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-024-03244-w

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