ROLE OF SACRUM IN SEX DETERMINATION IN WEST BENGAL POPULATION

Background: Sex classification of a bone is possible with a degree of certainty only if it can be compared to a series of bones of known sexual dimorphism. Different parameters and indices are available based on which the sex can be determined using sacrum. Thus, it always attracted the attention of the medico-legal experts for establishing the sex, because of its contribution to pelvic girdle and associated functional sex differences. Objective: Study the sexual dimorphism and regional differences of the varied features of the sacrum in West Bengal population and compare the significant anthropometric indices with similar observations across India. Material and method: The study comprised of 50 adult sacra (35 male and 15 female), obtained from the department of anatomy and department of forensic medicine of ICARE Institute of Medical Sciences and Research and Haldia Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Haldia, West Bengal. Different parameters viz. mid ventral straight length, mid ventral curved length, ventral straight breadth, transverse diameter of base, transverse diameter of body of S1, antero-posterior diameter of body of S1, breadth of alae were measured and indices viz. sacral index, longitudinal curvature index and corporobasal index were calculated and statistically analyzed. Result: Sacral index was found to be the most useful criterion for identification of sex followed by breadth of alae, corporobasal index and the ventral straight breadth. Conclusion: In the present study, out of the eleven parameters of the sacrum, seven parameters yielded statistical significance between the two sexes. Therefore, it can be concluded that sex determination of the sacrum with 100% accuracy may possible only when maximum number of parameters are taken into consideration. Keywords: Sacrum, sexual dimorphism, sacral parameters, sacral index