Anthropometric Measurements Versus Radiologic Parameters of Hand Bones for Sex Identification

Forensic anthropometry is the traditional and basic tool of forensic anthropology. It's the science of obtaining systemic measurements of the physical dimensions of the human body. This, in turn, is a very important parameter in personal identification.

Different anthropometric techniques are employed to determine sex from such fragmented body parts. Such anthropometric techniques aim to find cutoff points in the measurement of various body parts or bones that discriminate between males and females. Due to the effect of sex hormones, males are taller, larger and more strongly built than females, so measurements greater than the cutoff point are suggestive of a male and less than that are suggestive of a female.

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Key information

Conditions

Sex Determination

Age range

18 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Faculty of Medicine , Aswan University

Aswān, Egypt

About this study

Personal identification is very challenging for forensic anthropologists.Various anthropological techniques can be used in identifying individuals. The 'big fours' of personal identification are determination of age, sex, stature and race. These form the features of 'tentative identification'.

Among these 'big fours' parameters , the determination of sex is not only considered one of the most important parameters; but it can primarily cut half of the possible number of matching identities.

But it is also one of the simplest tasks in forensic investigation if the whole body is available; as the external and internal genitalia directly suggest the sex; however, the problem arises when dismembered body parts are found.

Nowadays, there are increased events of murders where the mutilation of a dead body is done by murderer to destroy all traces of identity,and additionally, there are increased events of mass disasters where dismembered body parts are found.

The pelvis is the best sex-related body part indicator, with 95% accuracy. However, it may not always be available. Recent studies have worked towards the sex determination potentials of other body parts.

Hands are one of the most sexually dimorphic parts of the human body.Therefore, sex determination based on radiologic examination of hand bones and hand dimension anthropometric measurements is of considerable importance.

Since the use of image processing techniques (e.g., radiography and computed tomography) in sex determination by osteometric measurements of hand bones is costly.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Egyptian volunteers of either sex who is above 18 years old and below 50 years old

Exclusion criteria

Volunteers less than 18 years old or more than 50 years old.
Volunteers with any of the following conditions will be excluded from this study as:
Presence of any physical deformity, injury, fracture, or amputation in his/her hands.
History of any surgical procedures involving the hands.
Radiographs that show skeletal trauma or anomalies in the metacarpals.

Treatment and study plan

Anthropometric Measurements

Procedure

Assessment of the accuracy of sex determination from hand indexes using anthropometric hand measurements.
Assessment of the accuracy of sex determination from the length of the metacarpals using x-ray radiographs on the same hand.
Determination of the best and least costly method for sex identification by comparing the effectiveness of the previous two methods.

Other names: Radiologic Measurements

Primary outcomes

Sex Determination

Time frame: 6 months

Evaluation of both males and females whom participated in the study for sex determination by comparing the accuracy of anthropometric hand measurements versus radiologic anthropometric parameters of hand bones

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Aswan University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Anthropometric Measurements Versus Radiologic Parameters of Hand Bones for Sex Identification in Upper Egypt Population: A Comparative Study.

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Jul 18, 2025
Registry last updated: May 27, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.