Gender determination of clavicula from anthropometric measurements in CT in Van

In the case of skeletonized, decomposed, fragmented or completely burned corpses, it is sometimes impossible to use positive identification methods because of the inability to obtain the morphological features, fingerprints and biological materials like DNA which are necessary for the identification. In such cases, anthropological identification methods on teeth and skeleton, which usually last longer to deteriorate when compared other identifiable features, may be more useful. There are many studies about the identification of clavicle bone by using radiological imaging methods in the literature. Although the majority of them are concentrated on sex determination, studies on age, race and stature estimation are also present. In this study, selected whole body CT images of PET scans of patients aged 21 years and over who were taken between 01.01.2015 and 01.01.2017 by the Radiology and Radio-Diagnostics Unit of Van Yuzuncu Yil University Faculty of Medicine were examined. Differently from other studies in the literature, this study was carried out on a large series consisting of 360 cases (180 male and 180 female) which standardized according to age groups and gender. Anthropological measurements were made on the clavicle bones on both sides of body and calculations were made from these measurements. It was aimed to determine whether the data obtained from these measurements and calculations showed changes according to age groups, gender and side and whether clavicle measurements can be used for sex and side determination. It was also aimed to discuss the possible causes of the differences that if present. In this study, a total of 8 measurements (4 measurements from each side clavicle) were made on the clavicles as: Maximum Length of Clavicle (MLC), Curved Length of Clavicle (CLC), Midclavicular Maximum Height (MMHC) and Midclavicular Maximum Anterior-Posterior Width (MMWC). In addition, a total of 6 computations (3 computations from each side clavicle) were used, as: the difference between Maximum Length of Clavicle and Curved Length of Clavicle (CDC), Midclavicular Maximum Perimeter (MMCC) and Midclavicular Maximum Area (MMAC). Descriptive statistics were made on these data; SPSS statistical package program was used for the calculations and statistical significance level was taken as 5% in the calculations. In addition, Univariate Discriminant Analysis and Stepwise Discriminant Analysis were performed to determine the effect of the measured features (variables) on sex and side determination. With Stepwise Discriminant Function Analysis, 86.4% accuracy in male cases and 89.7% in female patients and 88.1% in all cases were achieved in sex determination. Also, in the side determination 59.7 % accuracy in left clavicles, 61,4% in right clavicles and 60,6% in all clavicles were achieved. However, accurate age determination in adults by using age related measurement changes in clavicle was not seem to be possible. In conclusion, according to the results obtained in our study, anthropometric measurements of the clavicle showed moderate sexual dimorphism and in terms of sex determination, it was determined that it could not reach acceptable accuracy rate which is 95% and above. Therefore, in sex determination, the reliability of clavicle measurements alone was thought to be limited however, in cases where only the clavicle bones are present, the data obtained in our study may be indicative. It was also evaluated that the usefulness of available data would be very limited due to the low values for the side dimorphism, in terms determination of side of body. Clavicle, Sex Determination, Side Determination, Age Determination, Forensic Anthropology, Anthropometry, Discriminant Function Analysis.