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One of the crucial steps in the process of identification of human remains is sex determination of an unknown individual. Sex can be determined using the human skeleton, especially by examining the pelvis and skull. Odontometric analysis and assessment of sexual dimorphism of the human dentition has been less investigated, especially in primary dentition. Hence, this research was designed to verify the presence of sexual dimorphism through odontometric approach in paediatric population of Tamil Nadu, India. The present study was performed on 229 females and 244 males between 3 and 6 years of age. Linear measurements such as maximum mesio distal width, maximum bucco lingual width and clinical crown length were measured in all the primary teeth. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 20.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Mann-Whitney-U test was used to check the statistical significance of the differences observed between males and females. Six equations were derived by discriminant function analysis for practical use. Sexual dimorphism existed in odontometric parameters of primary dentition. The maximum sexual dimorphism was observed in maximum bucco lingual width of 51 and maximum bucco lingual width of 75. The equations derived using discriminant function analysis yielded a jackknife accuracy ranging between 87.5% and 99.8%. These equations may be used to assess the sex from the children of Tamil Nadu, India., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The science of fingerprints is very crucial in criminal investigation as it helps identify perpetrators or victims of a crime. Fingerprint ridge density (FPRD), which refers to the number of ridges within a specific area on the epidermal skin layer of the distal phalanges in humans, has been found to differ between males and females. This study attempts to estimate the sex from FPRD and evaluates the diversity in FPRD across several topological areas. The study involves 208 participants (120 males, 88 females) between the ages 18 to 25 years from a North-west Indian population. Fingerprints were collected, and FPRD was accessed in radial, ulnar, and proximal areas as recommended by Gutierrez-Redomero et al. (Forensic Sci Int 180(1):17-22, 2008). FPRD has been quantified using the techniques described by Acree (Forensic Sci Int 102(1):35-44, 1999). When evaluating FPRD in the lateral pocket loops and twin loops, the proximal-side core was considered. The study reveals that males have a mean fingerprint ridge density of 12.82 ridges/25 mm 2 while females have 13.01 ridges/25 mm 2 . Females have higher fingerprint ridge density solely in the proximal area; males have higher fingerprint ridge density in both radial and ulnar areas. In conclusion, this research underscores the potential of fingerprint ridge density as a parameter for investigating population variations and individual identification. Future studies on fingerprint ridge density in India's diverse population will help establish reference ranges, allowing for sex and likely population group estimation, making it a valuable tool for preliminary examinations and exclusion criteria for sex estimation in crime scene investigations., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

A genetic study of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in Jamunapari goats was carried out to identify differences between sexes in genetic control of body weight at birth and at 3 (weaning), 6, 9 and 12 months of age. A total of 6,687 kids out of 264 sires and 1,704 dams were used in the study. Estimates of SSD were derived from male:female body weight ratios. Males were 9.9, 6.8, 9.3, 13.7 and 16.8% heavier than females at birth and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age, respectively, demonstrating modest SSD. Phenotypic standard deviations were larger for male kids and tended to be proportional to body weight means. However, males also had somewhat greater phenotypic coefficients of variation and total resemblance among relatives. Additive direct genetic correlations between body weights of males and females exceeded 0.96 at birth and weaning. Corresponding additive maternal correlations exceeded 0.99. Additive direct correlations between sexes were somewhat less than unity for postweaning weights but exceeded 0.80 in multi-trait models. Our results indicated that body weights could be treated as the same trait in males and females, but the use of different phenotypic variances for the two sexes would improve accuracies of breeding value predictions. High genetic correlations between body weights in males and females suggest limited opportunity to use sex-specific selection to create or modify SSD or create divergent body weight phenotypes between sexes., (© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Aim of Study: The aim is to evaluate existence of sexual dimorphism by variation in right and left permanent maxillary molars using buccolingual width (BLW) and mesio-distal width (MDW) measured intraorally and on study casts among Sri Ganganagar population., Materials and Methods: Fifty patients (25 males and 25 females) with 17-25 years of age were selected. Impressions of maxillary arch were taken and the BLW and MDW were measured using digital Vernier calipers on study casts and intraorally., Results: Highly significant correlation was found between MDW and BLW of both the maxillary permanent first molars for both genders (P < 0.05) intraorally. The MDW and BLW on study cast of both sides in both gender were more on left side in males while on right side in females., Conclusion: Left maxillary permanent first molar showed minimum mean difference of measurements on study cast and introrally than right, thus better predictor for gender dimorphism in forensics.

The identification of gender is of significance in case of major disasters where bodies are often damaged beyond recognition Teeth are the hardest and chemically the most stable structure in the body. Moreover teeth show signs of least amount of changes in morphology and are easily accessible for examination. Therefore teeth are a first-rate material for genetic and forensic investigations. Out of all the teeth mandibular canines are considered as the "key teeth" for personal identification. Many studies have not been conducted simultaneously intra-orally and on the dental casts to establish the sexual dimorphism in the mandibular canines. The present study was undertaken in north Indian population to check the significance of intraoral measurements - mesio distal width and inter-canine distance as compared with the measurements on the dental casts. The study revealed that both the methods were equally reliable in gender determination., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.)

The study comprised lip morphometry of 600 North Indian adults (300 males and 300 females). The aim of the study was to create base data of various linear and vertical measurements of the upper and lower lips and width of the mouth. This standard may serve as a guideline for sexual dimorphism as well as for restoration or enhancement of esthetic and plastic surgery for the lips in the north Indian population, which will enable the surgeon to offer a better cosmetic result. Prior informed written consent from all the subjects was obtained. The exclusion and inclusion criteria for the subjects were predefined. The analysis shows the sexual dimorphism in most parameters of lips being greater in males. The results were compared with the available data for north white Americans, Malays, Malaysian Indians, Italians, western Indians and Caucasians. In the population under study, the measurements differ in all dimensions with Malays, Italians and Caucasians and show resemblance to the Malaysian Indians. Knowledge of the proportion between the upper and lower lips helps in surgical correction of the region. This study highlights the applied significance of observations of the present study to forensic, namely racial and sex dimorphic, criteria of identification., (© The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.)

Geographically varying starvation stress has often been considered as a natural selector that constrains between-population differences for starvation resistance (SR) in Drosophila species. On the Indian subcontinent, a dozen Drosophila species have shown clinal variations in SR across latitude, but the evolved physiological basis of such contrasting adaptations is largely unknown. In the present study, I untangled the physiological basis of sex-specific as well as between-population divergence for SR in D. leontia, collected across a latitudinal transect of the Indian subcontinent (11°45'-31°19'N). Secondly, I tested the assumptions that hardening to starvation stress facilitates an increased survival under subsequent lethal levels of starvation, and such plastic effects differ between the sexes. I observed several interesting results. In contrast to a steeper cline of starvation-related traits with latitude in females, a shallower gradient was observed for males. Females stored higher (~1.3-fold) dry-mass-specific levels of body lipids and glycogen contents, and utilized these both of these energy resources under starvation stress, whereas the starved males metabolized only body lipids as a source of energy. Conversely, the rate of body lipid utilization and threshold need were considerably higher in females as compared with males. Between-population differences were significant for storage levels of energy reserves only, but not for other avenues (rate of metabolite utilization and threshold need) of SR for both sexes. These findings indicate that multiple pathways shape the physiological basis of sexual dimorphism for SR in D. leontia. Further, single or multiple bouts of starvation hardening conferred an increased longevity (~4-9 h; P<0.001) under subsequent lethal levels of starvation stress for females only, and such plastic responses were consistent with a decrease in rate of metabolite utilization. Nevertheless, between-population effects were non-significant for absolute hardening capacity (AHC=KSR-C). Altogether, these findings suggest that similar evolutionary constraints have resulted in divergent genetic as well as plastic responses to evolve adaptations under starvation stress, and account for the observed sexual dimorphism for basal SR in D. leontia., (© 2014. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

Anthropological research relies on skeletal and dental remains for the identification of species. Sexual dimorphism is the systematic difference in form between males and females of the same species. This study is designed to compute a new formula for sex determination using discriminant function analysis in the deciduous crown dimensions of a paediatric population of South Indian origin and to check its accuracy. The sample consisted of 93 females and 90 males of South Indian origin aged between 5 and 13 years. Alginate impressions of the upper dental arch were made and casts were poured immediately. A digital vernier calliper was used to obtain measurements. Teeth considered for measurement were deciduous maxillary canines and molars. Our study is a maiden attempt in considering diagonal measurements along with mesiodistal (MD) and buccolingual (BL) dimensions as predictor variables for sex determination. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science version 17.0 software. By using the Student t-test, the different predictor variables of teeth selected between male and females were found to be significant (p < 0.05). Highly significant sexual dimorphism was found in the mean MD dimension of maxillary right canine and right and left first molar, BL dimension of right first molar, distobuccal-mesiolingual of right and left first molar and right second molar and mesiobuccal-distolingual of right second molar. The percentage of sexual dimorphism in MD dimensions revealed that the right upper first molar was the most dimorphic tooth and the upper first molar of the left side was the least dimorphic of the six teeth studied. The present study found the level of sexual dimorphism in the deciduous crown dimensions of a selected group of South Indian population, which is sufficiently large to determine sex with an accuracy of 87.2-88% by discriminant function analysis. Hence the formula derived from the present study could be of some value in sex determination of paediatric populations of South Indian origin., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Estimation of sex of footprints can help in establishing the biological profile of potential suspects. This research attempts to study the sex differences in the ridge density in four different areas of a footprint. The study sample comprises footprints from both feet of 106 adult subjects from India that were analysed using standardized techniques. A total of 212 footprints were studied in detail. The four areas analysed in the study included the upper portion of the medial border of the great toe (F1), the ball of the great toe (F2), the ball of the 5th toe below the triradius point (F3) and the central prominent part of the heel (F4). Male-female differences in footprint ridge density were statistically analysed for each designated area and compared between right and left sides. The mean footprint ridge density was significantly higher among females than males in all designated areas (p<0.05) in both feet. No right-left differences were apparent in the analysed areas. Variations in footprint ridge density between different areas in right and left feet were evident among males and females. This study observes that sex differences exist in footprint ridge density among humans. Maximum sex differences were observed for ridge density in medial ball area, followed by great toe, lateral ball and minimum sex differences were observed in the heel region. It is observed that sex can be estimated from footprint ridge density with reasonable accuracy. The sexing potential of total footprint ridge density was 82.6% from the right and 83.6% from the left footprints respectively., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: Sexual identification of immature skeletal remains is still a difficult problem to solve in Forensic Anthropology. The aim was to evaluate the existence of sexual dimorphism in maxillary first molars. The base sample comprised 200 subjects (100 males and 100 females) aged 17-25 years. The buccolingual (BL) and mesiodistal (MD) diameters of maxillary first molars were measured using digital vernier calipers both intraorally and on study casts. Data was analyzed using Independent sample t-test and paired t-test. Results showed statistically significant sexual dimorphisms in male and female odontometric features. The mean values of the parameters were greater on the left side than on the right side. Amongst the intraoral group, the right maxillary first molar was found to exhibit the greatest sexual dimorphism (5.34%) in terms of buccolingual dimension. Amongst the study cast group, the left maxillary first molar was found to exhibit the greatest sexual dimorphism (5.54%) in terms of buccolingual dimension. The buccolingual dimensions exhibited greater sexual dimorphism than mesiodistal dimensions., Conclusion: sex determination from an incomplete skeleton or young children may be difficult and in such situations the odontometric features of the teeth can be of immense help in determining the sex.

Conservation of water is critical to the ecological success of Drosophila species living in the drier montane localities of the Western Himalayas. We observed clinal variation in desiccation resistance for both sexes of Drosophila kikkawai from an altitudinal transect (512-2226 m above sea level). Since more than 90 per cent of body water is lost through cuticular transpiration, the target of selection may be cuticular lipids or cuticular melanization. We tested whether melanic females and non-melanic males of D. kikkawai have similar mechanisms of desiccation resistance. There is clinal variation in the amount of cuticular lipids per fly in males, but not in females. By contrast, for females, elevational increase in melanization is positively correlated with desiccation resistance and negatively with cuticular water loss, but there is no variation in the amount of cuticular lipids. Thus, sexual dimorphism for the mechanism of desiccation resistance in D. kikkawai matches the water proofing role of body melanization as well as cuticular lipids.

Hyoid is a U-shaped bone present in the ventral aspect of neck at the level of fourth cervical vertebra. Morphological variants of hyoid are well documented. The present study was designed to identify these morphological features and examine the sexual dimorphism of adult hyoid bone in Indian Bengali population. The present work consisted of direct measurement in autopsy cases in a population specific sample. It was observed that the hyoid was larger in males regarding width, antero-posterior length and slope of cornu. Using t-Test with alpha level of 0.05 the length of greater cornu was found to be the only variable not significantly different in the two sexes (p = .116)., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Determination of sex from human skeletal remains is an imperative element of any medicolegal investigation. Length of manubrium, length of mesosternum, and combined length of manubrium and mesosternum were measured in 115 sternums of confirmed sex (75 male and 40 female) for sexual dimorphism. Application of "the 50 rule" for the manubrium confirmed sex in 77.3% male and 77.5% female bones, while application of "the 81 rule" for the mesosternum confirmed sex in 73.3% male and 75% female bones accurately. Application of "the 131 rule" derived from the study for combined length of manubrium and mesosternum confirmed sex in 85.3% male and 77.5% female sternums correctly. This study confined to the Maharashtra region of western India is useful to determine the sex of the sternum when it is subjected for medicolegal skeletal examination.

Accurate sexing of skeletal remains is a vital part of any medicolegal investigation and a challenge to physical anthropologists. Hipbone is considered as the most reliable sex indicator in the human skeleton. Standards of morphological and morphometric sex differences in the skeleton may differ with the population sample involved and thus cannot be applied universally. The acetabulum-pubis index (A-P index) which is one of the reliable criteria for sex differentiation of human hipbones is derived from the measurements of acetabulum diameter and the distance between its anterior rim and symphysis pubis. Sixty-seven adult hipbones of known sex (36 males and 31 females) belonging to South-Indian population were studied to investigate sexual dimorphism of the well established A-P index. The index below 77.5 identified 81% of females and above 77.5 identified 83% males accurately.

Upper and lower incisors of 400 Jat Sihks (200 of each sex) have been measured for their length and breadth to assess any possible sexual dimorphism. However, the difference between the two sexes has been observed to be insignificant.

Five different endogamous populations who encompass the main social rank in the caste hierarchy of West Bengal were analysed for this report. The present approach is to compare the pattern of sex differences/similarities exhibited by two different sets of dermatoglyphic traits. Cluster and discriminant analysis and Mantel test of matrix correlations were performed. The nature of variation between sexes within population groups and two types of variable sets has a good similarity in all five populations. These results strongly suggest that the two categories of dermatoglyphic variables provide similar possibilities to discriminate between the sexes in populations.

Five hundred families from five different endogamous populations encompassing the main social rank in the caste hierarchy of the same geographical area of West Bengal, India, were analyzed to present variation in qualitative pattern types on fingers and palms. Sex dimorphism, homogeneous in all populations, suggests common characteristics of dermatoglyphic patterns. The pattern types are not uniformly distributed on 10 fingers and palmar configurational areas. However, most of these observations are homogeneous in nature, in both sexes among 5 populations. But the two sets of results on fingers and palms are not exactly the same. Palmar dermatoglyphic relationship reflects the better caste affinities, perhaps due to embryological development, having relatively a longer growth period compared to fingers (Cummins 1929). The present findings indicate that the qualitative dermatoglyphic affinities conform to the known ethnohistorical background of these populations, which correspond also to the results of quantitative dermatoglyphics as well as serological and biochemical markers of these populations. These observations indicate that these population groups have a common genetic background and thus traditional grouping of Indian populations on the basis of caste hierarchy may not be a reflection of the genetic origin of the population. In dermatoglyphic affinities, both qualitative and quantitative traits therefore may be quite useful in tracing the ethnohistorical background of these populations.

Five hundred families from five different endogamous populations encompass the main social rank in the caste hierarchy of West Bengal, India were analyzed for the present report. With the aim of comparing dermatoglyphic sexual dimorphism among the groups, analysis of variance and principal component analysis were performed, based on 38 dermatoglyphic variables. Sex dimorphism is homogeneous in nature in all populations, indicating common characteristics of dermatoglyphic variables within the same geographic area. But sex differences display different levels when compared with other racial groups. Therefore, sex differences are different in diverse populations. This would explain the existence of the possible role of environmental prenatal factors in the realization of the level of dermatoglyphic sex differences. Sex differences in asymmetry indices are less pronounced, which indicates that Indian populations are less asymmetric compared to Jewish populations. Fluctuating asymmetry, which is greater in females compared to males, support the hypothesis of Livshits and Kobyliansky--"increased heterozygosity is often associated with a decreased phenotypic variability including a diminished fluctuating asymmetry". A common feature of the principal component factor 1 "digital pattern size factor", in diverse populations indicates its degree of universality, and suggests that the variability of finger ridge counts is determined by the same genes which control the pattern types. The factors "finger ridge count diversity factor", "directional asymmetry factor", "fluctuating asymmetry factor", and "bilateral asymmetry factor" was perhaps described in the literature for the first time in Indian populations. The nature of variation of these components among these populations and between sexes, appears with a good similarity which suggests their biological validity of the underlying component structure. The overall homogeneity of sex dimorphism among 5 populations is well pronounced.

Abstract: The human auricle has attracted the attention of forensic scientists since a long for its unique morphological characteristics. In modern times, these unique features can be captured by CCTV cameras, which may be extremely useful during the identification process in a criminal investigation. Unique morphological characteristics such as Darwin's tubercle, shape, and size of the ear, different morphological features of the helix, tragus, lobule, etc. are frequently used in the identification and individualization process. The human ear was not only accessi-ble for its morphological and morphometric variations, but also its existing bilateral, sex, and population differences. The present study was conducted on 140 individuals (71 males and 69 females) aged between 18 and 30 years. The data were collected from the colleges of Nahan city of Sirmaur district in Himachal Pradesh state of North India. Various anthropometric measurements were taken independently on the left and right ear of each individual with the help of a pair of sliding calipers using a standard method. These linear measurements were physiognomic ear length, physiognomic ear breadth, ear length above tragus, distance from tragus to antihelix, distance from tragus to the helix, lobule height, and lobule width. Auricular index, lobular index, and lobular ear index were calculated from the aforementioned measurements. Further, an independent t-test/ Mann Witney U test and paired sample t-test/ Wilcoxon Signed Rank test were applied for the evaluation of sex differences and bilateral differences in the human ear, respectively. For the prediction of sexual dimorphism, discriminant function analysis was applied. Physiognomic ear length, physiognomic ear breadth, ear length above tragus, distances from tragus to antihelix (left ear only), and tragus to helix exhibited significant sex differences on both sides (p<0.05). Significant bilateral differences (p<0.05) were reported for all the measurements of the ear in males except for lobule height, whereas, significant side differences (p<0.05) were shown for ear length above tragus, distance from tragus to helix, and lobule width among females. The discriminant function model showed 82.10% accuracy for determining sexual dimorphism. The study highlighted sexual dimorphism and bilateral differences in ear morphometry in a north Indian population and provided a database of anthropometric variables in the human ear for forensic and anthropological uses.

Dental forensics forms a vital branch of forensic science which deals with proper handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidences for identification of victims of crime, accidents or calamities. Therefore skull and teeth often provide the identification material. The aim of the study was to investigate the accuracy of odontometric methods in sex determination of permanent teeth and to compute new formula to differentiate male and female teeth using discriminant function analysis for South Indian population. A total of 100 subjects were selected for the study from a parent population of 4800 students by simple random sampling method. Alginate impressions of the upper dental arch were made and casts were poured immediately. A digital vernier calliper was used for the measurement of all upper anteriors. Twelve different tooth measurements were recorded and from those two indexes have been computed. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS version 17.0 software. All the predictor variables were subjected to stepwise discriminant function analysis which optimally separates the genders and a best discriminant function was generated. In all the observed mean dimensions, male values exceed the female values. Student's 't' test for the different predictor variables of all teeth selected between male and females were found significant (p < 0.05). Very high significance was found in mean MD of 11, 12 and 13 and |c| of 23. The variables exhibiting best discriminant powers were mesiodistal width of both upper central incisors, DB-ML of 13 and canine crown module of 13. Sexual dimorphism in the size of permanent teeth differs from one population to the other and hence the standards set for one population could not be applied for another population. Hence this technique would be a simple, quick, cost effective, reliable and accurate for sex determination., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The dentition's use in sex assessment has been explored and advocated owing to its strength and resistance to peri- and postmortem insults. Among the teeth, canines have shown the greatest sexual dimorphism; they are also known for greater resistance to pathological alterations and trauma. These factors have prompted some researchers to explore its use alone in sex prediction. Specifically the mandibular canine index (MCI), which is the ratio of the mesiodistal (MD) dimension of the lower right canine and the inter-canine arch width, was developed by Rao et al. [Forensic Sci. Int. 42 (1989) 249-254] who predicted sex correctly in ∼86% of cases in a South Indian sample. These results were verified subsequently by other Indian researchers, both on southern and on northern Indians, although such success rates were not apparent in another South-Asian population as well as a European group. The present study re-examined the method in 203 Indians (103 males, 100 females) of age 19-32 years who originated from diverse states of the country, constituting all major religious and caste affiliations, and found relatively low sex estimation accuracy using the MCI (∼51%). This is in spite of the MD dimension of canines as well as inter-canine arch width - the absolute measurements used for deriving the MCI - showing statistically significant sex differences (p<0.05); also, the application of multivariate statistics, viz. logistic regression analysis, revealed higher accuracy levels of sex estimation for the absolute measurements (∼62-66%) vis-à-vis the MCI (∼50%). The results herein reinforce recent observations that ratios obtained from teeth, such as the MCI, do not reflect sexual dimorphism that may be present in absolute measurements. Furthermore, we believe that the basis for using MCI as a sex assessment tool is questionable, since it depends on the levels of sexual dimorphism between the absolute dimensions-low sexual dimorphism in one (e.g. MD measurement of canines) and proportionately high sexual differences in the other (e.g. inter-canine arch width), or vice versa, would lead to higher sex estimation accuracy of the MCI; on the other hand, relatively equal levels of sexual dimorphism in both would negate the ability of the MCI to accurately estimate sex. These suggest that the MCI has little utility in sex estimation and that its application should be restricted, if not discontinued altogether, in forensic and anthropological sex prediction., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Sex determination of unidentified skeletal remains is important and various hard-tissue parameters have been evaluated towards this end. The dentition is considered as a useful adjunct in skeletal sex determination, particularly since teeth are resistant to postmortem destruction and fragmentation. Sex dimorphism in tooth size and the accuracy of odontometric sex prediction, is found to vary in different regions and researchers have advocated the need for population-specific data. No odontometric standards exist for Indians for use in forensic sex prediction. Therefore, this study examined sexual dimorphism in Indians using univariate and multivariate statistics. Mesiodistal (MD) and buccolingual (BL) measurements of all teeth, except third molars, were obtained on dental casts of [corrected] 105 Indians (52 females, 53 males). The canines were [corrected] found to be the most dimorphic tooth, followed by the [corrected] BL dimensions of [corrected]first molars and that of mandibular second premolars. In general, mandibular teeth and BL dimensions showed greater tendency to be larger in males. However, just over a quarter of the measured variables (16/56; 28.6%) were statistically larger in males (p < 0.05). Moreover, ten tooth variables exhibited reverse dimorphism, i.e. female dimensions were larger than those of males. Stepwise discriminant function analysis revealed moderate accuracy in sex prediction: the teeth from both jaws taken together were able to determine sex to higher levels (76.2%) compared to only mandibular teeth (72.4%) or only maxillary teeth (67.6%). Interestingly, teeth that contributed to the stepwise discriminant analysis were either statistically larger in males or exhibited reverse dimorphism, indicating that such tooth variables may have better ability to correctly identify sex. [corrected]

In the present cross-sectional study we examined 332 (171 men and 161 women) elderly (60 years and above) urban Bengalee Hindu resident in south Calcutta, India. Individuals were selected by random sampling procedure using local voter's registration list. Skin folds measures were used to compute body composition measures among them. There existed significant sex differences in various anthropometric body composition measures. Age had significant (p < 0.001) negative association with all anthropometric body composition measures namely percentage of body fat (PBF), fat mass (FM), arm muscle circumference (AMC), arm muscle area (AMA) and arm fat area (AFA) in both sexes. Fat free mass (FFM) in contrast had negative but not significant age impact. Regression analyses demonstrated that age had explained substantial amount of variance of PBF (men = 32%; women = 18.2%), FM (men = 18.2%; women = 12.8%), AMC (men = 23.4%; women = 19.2%), AMA (men = 22.2%; women = 10.2%) and AFA (men = 34%; women = 31%) in both sexes. Two-way ANOVA revealed age-sex interaction only had significant effect on FFM. The present investigation vindicated that there is a significant inverse age trends in anthropometric body composition measures among the Bengalee Hindus. Moreover, there existed sexual dimorphism in the effect of age on various anthropometric body composition measures.

Assessment of sex from femoral dimensions have been tried before in several populations. Studies conducted so far have demonstrated that populations differ from one another in size and proportion. Therefore, the discriminant formulae developed for determining sex for one population group cannot be applied on another. As to date no detailed study of femur on the subject has been reported from India, an attempt has been made in the present study to examine the sexual dimorphism in femur of Indian origin using 124 femora from central India. Eleven standard dimensions were measured on the bones. The data were analysed using discriminant function procedures and the results of different measurements are reported independently and in various combinations. Maximum head diameter alone could correctly assign sex to 92.5% of males and 95.5% of females. Evaluation of the discriminating ability of the variables selected in stepwise analysis are then conducted using cross validation procedure. To understand the population variation, the discriminant formula derived from Thai, Chinese, South African white, American black and white were applied on the present sample. The comparison indicated that Indians have very different dimension from South African whites and American whites. Their dimensions are more closer to Thais and Chinese but in no way identical to them.