Gender Identification Using Discriminant Function Analysis of Study Population

Background: Discriminant function analysis is the most popular statistical model in sex determination. This method is now becoming the choice for analysis the gender. Femor is important bone used for gender determination. The present study was conducted to determine the gender of individual using femoral head in study population. Materials & Methods: This study was conducted in the department of forensic medicine in year 2014. It consisted of 80 cadaveric femur of both sides (males45, females 35). The vernier caliper with 0.01 millimeter of resolution was used for the study. Vertical diameter of femoral head and transverse diameter of head of femur was measured using vernier caliper. For measuring vertical diameter of femoral head, the distance between the most superior and most inferior point on the femoral head that is right angles to the long axis of the neck of femur was considered. The transverse diameter of head of femur was measured at right angles to the vertical diameter of femoral head. It is a horizontal distance between most anterior point to the most posterior point on the head of femur. Results: Mean of vertical diameter of head of femur was 45.10 and standard deviation (S.D) was 3.62. The mean of transverse diameter of head of femur was 44.86 and standard deviation (S.D) was 3.24. Mean of vertical diameter of femur head of males was 45.12 and in females was 41.63. Transverse diameter in males was 46.22 and in females was 41.24. The difference was significant (P < 0.05). Classical functional coefficient of vertical diameter in males was 5.84 and in females as 5.21. Hence following discriminant function equation was obtained. For Males, Score=X1 X 5.84 – 132.26, for Females: Score=X1 X 5.21 –128.34 where, X1 =Vertical diameter of Head of Femur. Vertical diameter of head of femur correctly sexed 85.22% of the males and 84.45% of the females with overall classification rate of 85 %. Classical functional coefficient of transverse diameter in males was 6.25 and in females as 5.62. Hence following discriminant function equation was obtained. For Males, Score=X1 X 6.25 – 134.12. For Females: Score=X1 X 5.62 –118.16 where, X1 = Tranverse diameter of Head of Femur. Transverse diameter of head of femur correctly sexed 90.28% of the males and 78.44% of the females with overall classification rate of 87.9% but on cross validation it is reduced to 82.6%. Conclusion: Femoral head may be useful in determination of gender of an individual. However, large studies are required to substantiate the data obtained in this study.