UDI ONORIODE ANDREW

Citation: Udi O. A. (2024) A short comparative review on the analysis of correlation between the femoral head and skull morphology for sex determination. Frontline Professionals Journal, 1(1), 80 – 89.

ABSTRACT
Background: This study presents a comparative review of existing research focusing on the correlation between the morphologies of these two skeletal elements, highlighting their effectiveness in sex determination across diverse populations.
Methodology: An extensive literature review was conducted, analyzing peer-reviewed studies that examine the sexual dimorphism of the femoral head and skull. Quantitative measurements and Morphological descriptions were extracted and compared.
Results: The findings indicate a significant correlation between femoral head dimensions and specific cranial features in reliably discerning biological sex. Femoral head size, in particular, demonstrated a strong positive correlation with male skull characteristics, such as increased brow ridge prominence and greater overall skull robustness. However, the degree of correlation varied among different populations, suggesting that regional morphological variations could influence the outcomes of sex determination methodologies.
Conclusion: This comparative review underscores the importance of integrating both femoral head and skull analysis for enhanced accuracy in sex determination in forensic contexts. While both skeletal elements possess inherent dimorphic traits, their combined analysis may yield more reliable outcomes, particularly in populations with unique morphological characteristics. Future research should focus on developing standardized methodologies that consider diverse population metrics to improve the precision of sex estimation from skeletal remains.