Research Paper: Using Subpubic Angle in Sex Determination and Stature Estimation: An Anthropometric Study on Iranian Adult Population

Background: Pelvic bone has important sex determining features. However, anthropometric reference values vary by study population. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of subpubic angle for sex determination and height estimation in Iranian adults.Methods: In this study, the subpubic angle in the digital pelvic radiographs of 325 Iranian adults (199 males and 126 females) and their standing heights were measured. Then, the relation of subpubic angle with sex and stature was evaluated. Results: The mean(SD) subpubic angle of the studied population was 116.3 (23.7) degrees. Subpubic angle was significantly wider (P<0.001) in females [140.5(14.3) degrees] compared to males [101.0(13.3) degrees]. Moreover, we observed a significant decrease (P<0.001) in females’ subpubic angle with an increase in age. A significant reverse correlation (P<0.01) was also observed between the subpubic angle and height (r=0.416). Conclusion: This study showed that the mean subpubic angle in Iranian adults is different from the average in other populations. Our reference values can be used in forensic identification

The Diagnostic Value of Anthropometric Characteristics of Ilium for Sex Estimation Using Pelvic Radiographs

Background: Sex estimation is an essential part of forensic identification. This study was conducted on the Iranian people to determine pelvic bones anthropometric characteristics.Methods: Radiography of 180 pelvic bones (90 males and 90 females) was studied. We measured the height of ilium, inter-acetabular distance, acetabular diameter, the greatest breadth of the pelvis, breadth of pelvic inlet, and the presence of the beaklike bony extension in both sexes.Results: We found a significant difference between men and women regarding their mean height of ilium, acetabular diameter, inter-acetabular distance, breadth of the pelvic inlet in all studied X-rays. The highest accuracy for sex estimation was related to the height of ilium (77%). The prevalence of the beaklike bony extension was 43% in the studied population, 70% in males and 18% in females.Conclusion: When human skeletal remains containing pelvic bones are available, standard radiographic images along with other findings can be helpful in predicting the sex.