Determination of sex from humerus: discriminant analysis

The present study was conducted on 80 right humeri (40 male and 40 female). Six measurements of humerus were taken. The mean values of five measurements were significantly higher in males as compared to females (P<0.001) with univariate analysis. The most dimorphic single parameter on the basis of discriminant analysis was epicondylar width, with an accuracy of 80% in males and 87.5% in females. The second best variable according to stepwise discriminant analysis was vertical head diameter with 87.5% accuracy in males and 70% accuracy in females. The combination of epicondylar width and vertical head diameter of the shaft provided better results, with 85% accuracy in males and 90% accuracy in females.