Analysis of the metric variability of the forensic anthropology parameters for sexing of two populations: Scottish and Brazilian

Author(s)

Thaís Torralbo Lopez Capp

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Odontologia (FO/SDO)
• Defense date: 2017-05-12

Examining board members

Maria Gabriela Haye Biazevic; Scheila Mânica; Rodolfo Francisco Haltenhoff Melani; Luiz Airton Saavedra de Paiva; Ricardo Henrique Alves da Silva

• Advisor: Maria Gabriela Haye Biazevic

Abstract

Forensic anthropology is the application of the physical anthropology science and human osteology in criminal cases where the victim\'s remains are in an advanced stage of decomposition. Due to migration Brazilian population is very diverse, comprising many races and ethnic groups, therefore it is much more varied than the Scottish population, which tends to be more homogenous once there was significant immigration to Scotland from the rest of the United Kingdom. The present study aimed to compare the craniometric variations of two populations (Brazilian and Scottish), and analyze the reliability of sex determination in the two populations for forensic purpose. The total sample was comprised of 200 skulls and 136 mandibles, the Brazilian sample consisted of 100 complete skulls and the Scottish sample was composed of 100 skulls and 36 mandibles, both of which are documented samples. The measure\'s protocol comprised 72 measurements, being 51 cranial and 21 mandibular. The results showed that the Scottish sample had a larger mean compared to the Brazilian sample in 54 variables of the 72 measures. Among the cranial measurements analyzed, 33 variables showed a significant difference between the two samples and among the 21 mandibular measurements considered, 05 presented a variation greater than 20%, 09 between 10% and 20%, 07 lower than 10%. The most dimorphic measurements for both samples were the bizigomatic width (73% of accuracy for the Brazilian sample and 77% for the Scottish sample), the bigoniac width (79% and 83,30%), the Porion-Mastoidale length (76% and 75%), and the left side mandibular body height (67 and 80,60%). The multivariate discriminant analysis showed satisfactory results for the Brazilian sample with a percentage of accuracy varying between 76-90% and in the Scottish sample 81-86.6%. Through the analysis of the ROC curve, four reference tables were developed: 01 for Brazilian cranial measurements, 01 Brazilian mandibular measurements, 01 Scottish cranial measurements and 01 Scottish mandibular measurements The present study showed a difference between the two samples studied, but it is not possible to define an unique cause responsible for that because this comprise multifactorial aspects. The quantitative methodology analyzed showed sexual dimorphism in both samples. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/13340-7 - Comparative analysis of the Brazilian and Scottish population for estimating sex age and ancestry: a Forensic Anthropology study
• Grantee: Thais Torralbo Lopez Capp
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)