Abstract

Background: Accurate sex estimation from skeletal remains is a fundamental aspect of forensic anthropology. The mandible, with its sexual dimorphism, provides significant information for this purpose. This study investigates the efficacy of various mandibular parameters in differentiating between male and female mandibles. Methods: A total of 200 mandibles (100 male, 100 female) were analyzed for key mandibular metrics: ramus height (right and left), bicondylar diameter, mandibular index, body thickness, and jaw length. Measurements were obtained using calipers and digital imaging. Statistical analyses included t-tests to compare differences between sexes and multivariate analyses to assess the predictive power of these measurements for sex estimation. Results: Analysis revealed significant sexual dimorphism in ramus height (right: p = 0.003, left: p = 0.000) and bicondylar diameter (p = 0.000), with males exhibiting larger dimensions. The mandibular index, derived from the ratio of ramus height to body thickness, demonstrated the highest accuracy for sex classification at 70.5% (p = 0.003). Body thickness and jaw length did not show significant differences between sexes. Conclusion: Ramus height and bicondylar diameter are effective parameters for distinguishing between male and female mandibles, with the mandibular index providing a reliable measure for sex estimation. These findings enhance the accuracy of forensic anthropological assessments and contribute valuable data for sex differentiation in skeletal remains.

Keywords: Mandible, Sexual Dimorphism, Forensic Anthropology, Ramus Height, Bicondylar Diameter