Discriminant functions to determine sex in modern human bone remains from the province of Mendoza (Argentina)

Introduction

Human bone remains from forensic contexts can present different degrees of complexity due to the action of postmortem processes that can alter the state of the corpse. In these cases, osteometric methods to determine sex are very useful. This work aims to adjust 8 discriminant functions previously developed by Mansegosa et al. (2018) to determine sex in long bones with applicability in modern populations of central-western Argentina.

Materials and methods

Eight discriminant functions for long bones were adjusted by surveying 8 variables in the clavicle, humerus, ulna, radius, femur, and tibia in 103 adult individuals (42 females and 61 males) belonging to the “Osteoteca de Mendoza para la investigación científica y forense” (Mendoza, Argentina). A cross-validation test was carried out and then the formulas were applied to a sample of 12 individuals with known sex corresponding to real forensic cases worked on by the Anthropology Laboratory of the “Cuerpo Médico y Criminalístico de Mendoza”.

Results

Of the 8 discriminant functions, 3 reached acceptable values (> 80%) in both sexes, which correspond to the humerus, radius, and clavicle. Cross-validation yielded overall percentages ranging from 72.3 to 87.5%. The sample from forensic contexts could be completely sexed with an efficiency of 91.7%. The generated model constitutes a first step in the generation of methodology to strengthen forensic anthropological research in Argentina.