Sex Determination of the sternum in koreans

Abstract

Identification of an individual is the mainstay of forensic investigation. In the present study, criteria for sex determination were established using 111 adult Korean sternums (63 males and 48 females). They were analyzed using identification points (IPs) and limit points (LPs), as reported previously. Only three of the ten parameters measured-sternal body length, sternal length (i.e., manubrium+body), and sternal area-were useful for sex determination, with sternal length being the most useful. The IP of sternal length was 147 and 130 mm for males and females, respectively. Using this parameter, 53.9% of males and 37.5% of females could be sexed with 100% accuracy. The LP was 141 mm for both males and females; sex could be discriminated accurately using this parameter in 85.7% of males and 85.4% of females.