Biomaterial Database

Sexual dimorphism in finger length ratios and sex determination - A study in Indo-Mauritian population. 2015

Arun Kumar Agnihotri, and A Aman Jowaheer, and Adiilah K Soodeen-Lalloo

Department of Forensic Medicine, SSR Medical College, Mauritius. Electronic address: agnihotri_arun@hotmail.com.

Many studies have shown that the finger length ratios might be characteristic for sexual dimorphism. The aim of the study was to determine sexual dimorphism in finger length ratios among the representatives of the Indo-Mauritian population. The study group comprised of 200 healthy Indo-Mauritian people (100 male and 100 female) of the age ranged from 19 to 25 years. The lengths of second (2D), third (3D), forth (4D) and fifth (5D) finger of both hands were measured by using a vernier caliper. Our results indicate that all finger length ratios have significant sex differences (p-value < 0.05) except 2D:5D and 3D:5D. To conclude, 2D:4D ratio is the most decisive ratio (predictive accuracy = 0.61) which can demarcate between male and female.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008436	Mauritius	One of the Indian Ocean Islands, east of Madagascar. Its capital is Port Louis. It was discovered by the Portuguese in 1505, occupied by the Dutch 1598-1710, held by the French 1715-1810 when the British captured it, formally ceded to the British in 1814, and became independent in 1968. It was named by the Dutch in honor of Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange (1567-1625). (From Webster's New Geographical Dictionary, 1988, p742 & Room, Brewer's Dictionary of Names, 1992, p341)	Agalega Islands
D005260	Female		Females
D005385	Fingers	Four or five slender jointed digits in humans and primates, attached to each HAND.	Finger
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D044469	Racial Groups	Groups of individuals with similar physical appearances often reinforced by cultural, social and/or linguistic similarities.	Continental Population Groups,Race,Racial Stocks,Continental Population Group,Group, Continental Population,Group, Racial,Groups, Continental Population,Groups, Racial,Population Group, Continental,Population Groups, Continental,Races,Racial Group,Racial Stock,Stock, Racial,Stocks, Racial
D054881	Sex Determination by Skeleton	Validation of the sex of an individual by means of the bones of the SKELETON. It is most commonly based on the appearance of the PELVIS; SKULL; STERNUM; and/or long bones.
D055815	Young Adult	A person between 19 and 24 years of age.	Adult, Young,Adults, Young,Young Adults
D018732	Forensic Anthropology	Scientific study of human skeletal remains with the express purpose of identification. This includes establishing individual identity, trauma analysis, facial reconstruction, photographic superimposition, determination of time interval since death, and crime-scene recovery. Forensic anthropologists do not certify cause of death but provide data to assist in determination of probable cause. This is a branch of the field of physical anthropology and qualified individuals are certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology. (From Am J Forensic Med Pathol 1992 Jun;13(2):146)	Anthropology, Forensic,Human Identification,Human Identifications,Identification, Human,Identifications, Human