GENDER DIFFERENTIATION OF ADULT HUMAN THROUGH MESOSTERNUM: AN AUTOPSY BASED STUDY.

Abstract

Objective: To identify the genders by using Mesosternum measurements and to evaluate the difference between males and females by discriminant function analysis. Material and Methods: This predictive modelling study was conducted on dead bodies which were received at Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, King Edward Medical University Lahore for medicolegal examination. Female and male dead bodies with fully intact Mesosternum having age 18 to 60 years were studied. After placing the dead body on autopsy table thorax was dissected by using linear midline incision (from chin to pubic symphysis) by standard autopsy blade. After reflecting the skin along with muscles from chest cage, clavicles were disarticulated from the sternum. Sternal margin of Mesosternum which articulate with cartilages of first seven pairs of ribs were cur carefully by bone cutter. After removal of sternum from thoracic cage it was washed, soft tissue scrapped and the sternal measurements were taken in millimetres with Vernier calliper. Measurements were taken by placing the bone on a flat surface and after taking measurements bone re-placed at its anatomical position. Results: There were 45(52.94%) male and 40(47.06%) were female. Mean age of all cases was 36.02±11.79 years. Overall mean of Mesosternum (mm) length in male and female was 106.86±5.73 and 98.43±5.95 mm respectively. Measurements of Mesosternum were significantly high among males as compared to females (p=0.001). Discriminant function analysis evaluated and written as DF=0.517×MSL 0.517.The overall accuracy by discriminant function analysis was 88%, while 93.3% accuracy in males and 82.5% in females was established. Conclusion: This study observed that the average length of the Mesosternum (mm) was markedly high among males as compared to females. A Discriminant function equation was devised which may be useful for sexual estimation of unknown Mesosternums.