Sex Determination from the Morphometry of the Foramen Magnum in Benin: Potential Forensic Identification Tool

Abstract

Background: previous studies had concluded that studying the measurements of the foramen magnum could enable sex determination with good reliability for forensic identification issue. The reliability of identification methods based on foramen magnum measurements are related to natives populations. Objective: he objective of this study was to assess the value of the measurements’ use of the foramen magnum in the identification of the sex with a view to exploitation in forensic medicine at the local level. Methods: The antero-posterior and latero-lateral diameters as well as the area of the foramen magnum were measured and calculated on a series of 200 cranial scans (114 men and 84 women). The distribution of measurements was compared by sex. The collected data was subjected to binary logistic regression analysis. Results: The values of the measurements of the foramen magnum of the men are significantly higher than those of the women. Binary logistic regression performed from anteroposterior diameter or areas correctly predicted gender in 64 to 66% of cases. When the regression is based on the latero-lateral diameter alone, 56.8% of individuals are well classified. Conclusion: Sexual dimorphism is pronounced at the level of FM morphometry. Measurements of the foramen magnum can be used to identify sex in a forensic context in Benin. However, its use should preferably be done as a confirmatory test or in situations where the occipital bone is the only structure of the skull that is complete.