Sex Determination from Talus among Gujarati Population of Anand Region by Discriminant Function Analysis

Introduction: The three most vital determinations that must be made when dealing with skeletal remains are sex, age and race. Many skeletal features vary by gender, thus determination of sex is prerequisite for the identification of an individual. The success in sex determination from bones is limited by the availability of bones in fragments. The talus is apt for studying sexual dimorphism as it is often well preserved due to its durability. Aim: To determine accuracy of talus in sex determination and to derive sex discriminant function equations specific for Gujarati population of Anand region. Materials and Methods: Seven measurements of 58 adult human tali (36 male and 22 female) have been taken by digital sliding vernier caliper. The seven measurements taken in the present study are talar length, width of the talus, head-neck length, length and breadth of the trochlea, transverse and antero-posterior diameter of the posterior articular surface for the calcaneus. Data has been statistically analysed by discriminant function analysis. Results: Univariate analysis showed that the mean (SD) values of all the parameters of talus are significantly greater in males as compared to females (p<0.001 indicating good discrimination). Discriminant function analysis with stepwise method revealed that length of the trochlea, head-neck length and transverse diameter of the posterior articular surface for the calcaneus emerged as the most significant discriminating parameters with correct classification rate of 96.6%. Conclusion: The sex discriminant function equations derived in the present study can be used for sex determination studies on the tali obtained specifically from Gujarati population of Anand region.