Sexing of Human Clavicles Using Length and Circumference Measurements
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-1991
Description
Measurment of clavicular length and circumference, and computation of clavicular robustness and length-circumference product from 724 autopsied adults of known age, sex, and body length between the ages of 15 and 96 years produced useful sex-predictive values. This predominantly North American white population contained 560 males and 164 females with intact, nondeformed clavicles. Clavicle length and circumference and particularly their product have been found useful in sexing, but robustness as a single trait has not. Despite a significant overlap of male and female values, the use of single cutoff values allowed correct sex assignment of up to 93% of the entire study population, including 94% of males and 89% of females. The ratios of body length on clavicle circumference and to clavicle length are on average greater in women than in men. The former ratio yields male predictive values >95% for those individuals with ratios falling below the cutoff value of 43, whereas the latter ratio is a relatively poor sex predictor.
Citation Information
McCormick, W. F.; Stewart, J. H.; and Greene, H.. 1991. Sexing of Human Clavicles Using Length and Circumference Measurements. American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. Vol.12(2). 175-181. https://doi.org/10.1097/00000433-199106000-00017 PMID: 1882783 ISSN: 0195-7910