Sex determination from partial segments and maximum femur lengths in Koreans using computed tomography

Background: The aim of this study was to establish standards for determining sex from fragmentary and complete femurs in a Korean population.

Materials and methods: The statistical analysis of 12 variables (6 about breadth and 6 about length) based on 100 Korean femurs (from 50 males and 50 females) showed that all variables have significant sex differences.

Results: The most accurate discriminant variable was the condylar breadth parallel with epicondylar breadth (87.6% accuracy). In contrast, the transverse shaft diameter was not a discriminant variable for sex determination (67.0% accuracy). Breadth-related variables were generally more accurate than length-related variables. Three variables (vertical diameter of the neck [VDN], medial epicondylar length [MCL], and condylar breadth [CB]) were selected from stepwise analysis for discriminating sex (93.5% accuracy). The discriminating equation was as follows: 0.171 × VDN + 0.172 × MCL + 0.128 × CB2 - 21.471.

Conclusions: The results of this study are helpful for determining sex, even if a femur is found in a fragmented condition in the field.