Sex and Race Determination of Crania by Calipers and Computer: A Test of the Giles and Elliot Discriminant Functions in 52 Forensic Cases
Abstract
The Giles and Elliot discriminant functions diagnosing sex and race from cranial measurements were tested on a series of forensically examined crania of known sex and race. Of 52 crania of known sex, 46 (88%) were correctly diagnosed. Racial diagnoses were correct in 30 (71%) of 42 crania of known race. Analysis of the facial data indicates that most of the errors resulted from the misclassification of American Indian crania as White or Negro. This suggests that the temporally remote and geographically limited prehistoric Indian crania used in developing the functions do not provide a data base representative of the present-day U.S. American Indian population. Cranial size, age at death, and certain pathological conditions altering cranial form can also contribute to misdiagnoses of sex and /or race by the function. We conclude, that despite some shortcomings, the Giles and Elliot discriminant functions provide a useful tool in forensic anthropology.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA065448
Entities
People
- Clyde C. Snow
- Eugene Giles
- Fontaine A. Young
- Steve Hartman
Organizations
- Federal Aviation Administration