NCJ Number
138345
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 37 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1992) Pages: 1068-1075
Date Published
1992
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The search for effective methods of determining sex in subadult skeletal remains has continued since von Fehling and Thomson first reported sex-related differences in the shape of the fetal sciatic notch.
Abstract
In 1980, Weaver proposed a modification of adult differences in auricular surface morphology as an effective means of sex determination in subadult remains. His method was indirectly evaluated by Hunt through a comparison of the sex ratios produced by this technique and the expected 1:1 ratio. The present investigation expands on both studies by using a sample of subadults of known sex and by evaluating Weaver's method from two perspectives: what percentage of individuals can be correctly sexed using Weaver's criteria; and what is the probability that an individual case will be correctly sexed, based on the presence or absence of auricular surface elevation. The sample consisted of 58 ilia from subadults of known sex ranging in age from birth through 18 years. Each ilium was subjected to a blind examination using Weaver's criteria for auricular surface elevation. Weaver's technique was most effective among males, with an overall accuracy of 85.3 percent. Accuracy in sexing females, however, was only slightly better than chance at 58.3 percent. The effectiveness of Weaver's technique improved with age among subadults of both sexes. From the perspective of forensic science, auricular surface morphology proved to be an effective predictor of sex only among a subset of children older than 9 years of age. All subadults beyond age 9 with an elevated surface were female. Nonetheless, 26 percent of the female sample failed to develop an elevated surface, thus making the attribute of nonelevation less indicative of male status. The findings suggest that, during infancy and early childhood, auricular surface morphology for most individuals conforms to the male pattern. 16 references, 2 tables, and 3 figures