Sexing from the orbital measurements using computed tomography images and discriminant function analysis in Turkish population

ABSTRACT

The main goal of identification in forensic sciences is to estimate characteristics such as sex, age, stature, and ancestry. One of the regions of the human skeleton that most clearly shows sexual dimorphism is the skull. This study aims to evaluate whether the orbital dimensions could be used for sex estimation using Computed Tomography. We examined the orbital measurements of adult Turkish individuals (300 males and 300 females) aged 21–50. We measured Orbital Width, Orbital Height, Biorbital Breadth, and Interocular Breadth by Computed Tomography. The data of the variables showed a normal distribution; therefore, functions of uni/multivariate variables were obtained using Discriminant Function Analysis. Using Discriminant Function Analysis, a significant difference between men and women was determined with an accuracy of 73%. The orbital measurements of the adult Turkish population showed limited forensic significance for sex estimation. Conversely, their potential for examining the interpopulation and intrapopulation differences have been shown.

KEYWORDS:

• Identification
• sex estimation
• orbital measurements
• computed tomography
• discriminant functions

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Orhan Meral

Orhan Meral received his medical degree from Afyonkocatepe University Faculty of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar, Turkiye. He has obtained his Forensic Medicine speciality from Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir Turkiye. He is presently working as Associate Professor at Bakırçay University, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkiye. His research areas include Medical & Forensic Image Processing, Forensic Anthrophology. He has published more than 50 research papers in various international journals and conferences and reviewed papers for reputed Journals and international conferences. He has also published 2 books for schools and colleges.

Belkis Betul Toklu

Belkıs Betul Toklu received her medical degree from Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkiye. She has obtained her Radiology speciality from Istanbul Haseki Education and Research Hospital, Turkiye, and University of Health Sciences Izmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital, Turkiye. She is presently working as Radiology speciality doctor at University of Health Sciences Izmir Dr Behcet Uz Health and Surgery of Children Education and Research Hospital (since 2019). She has authored and coauthored publications and case reports, made oral presentation in international and national conferences approximately 10 total. Her special field interest is now imaging techniques of children especially ultrasound and X-Ray.

Reyhan Meydan

Reyhan Meydan received his medical degree from Ege University Faculty of Medicine in 1994. She became a Radiodiagnostic specialist at the same university in 2000. She is presently working as Specialist Dr. at University of Health Sciences Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, currently. Her professional interests are ultrasound, head and neck, abdomen, skeletal system and health law.

Ahsen Kaya

Ahsen Kaya received her M.D. degree from Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkiye in 2004 and Forensic Medicine Expert degree from Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine, Izmir, Turkiye in 2010. She worked as Forensic Medicine Expert in Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine between 2011 and 2013. She received Assistant Professor degree in 2013 and Associate Professor in 2016 from Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkiye. She is presently working as Associate Professor at Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkiye. Her research areas include Forensic Anthropology, Social Forensic Medicine, and Medical Malpractice. She has published more than 70 research papers, case reports, reviews in various international journals and conferences and reviewed papers for reputed Journals. She has also published more than 10 book chapters.

Beytullah Karadayı

Beytullah Karadayı received his degree Forensic Sciences PhD official in Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine, Turkiye, in2006. He is presently working as Professor at same University, Jan 2023. Gives lectures on “Forensic Identification” and “Biological Evidence”. Conducted studies in the field of forensic odontology/anthropology, specifically on age estimation and sex determination. Co-author of a dental age estimation atlas published in Turkiye. Legal expert to the courts on Forensic Medicine since 2009.

Turker Acar

Turker Acar received his medical degree from Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkiye. He has obtained his Radiology speciality from Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkiye, and completed his anatomy PhD program from the same university as well. He did his cardiac imaging fellowship program in uOttawa-Canada. He is presently working as Associate Professor at University of Health Sciences Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital, currently. He has authored and coauthored more than 30 publications so far. Cardiothoracic imaging is his special field of interest.