Langley et al reported a classification and regression tree (CART) analysis for determining the sex of human remains from features of the skull. The authors are from the Mayo Clinic and Lincoln-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Parameters:
(1) glabella
(2) zygomastic extension (posterior)
(3) mastoid
Each parameter is scored by comparison with images.
Parameter
Points
none
1
mild
2
moderate
3
moderate to marked
4
marked
5
A CART analysis then uses these scores to determine the probable sex.
Glabella
Zygomatic
Mastoid
Sex
>= 4
>=3
NA
male (96%)
>= 4
< 3
NA
female (77%)
< 4
>=3
>=4
male (69%)
< 4
>=3
<4
female (73%)
< 4
<3
NA
female (98%)
Performance:
• Langley et al reported an accuracy of 93.5%.
• Garvin and Klales found an accuracy of 72% with a sex bias (females 94% correct, males 49%).
• Three of end-points have a prediction from 69-77% for a sex so would be wrong with some frequency. The other 2 end-points show a much better accuracy.
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