Skeletal sex determination by scapular measurements

Measurements of seven scapular parameters (max. length, max. breadth, max. distance acromion-coracoid, max. length of acromion, max. length of coracoid, length and breadth of glenoid cavity), taken from a known contemporary Italian (Apulian) skeletal population were analyzed to obtain sex determination by discriminant analysis. In the univariate analysis, the maximum scapular breadth shows the best discriminant attitude with lowest percentage of misclassification (8.75%). In the multivariate discriminant analysis it's possible to have a 95% correct sex determination using only three parameters (max. distance acromion-coracoid, maximum length of coracoid and length of glenoid cavity). The association of two measurements of glenoid cavity allows the determination of skeletal sex with 10% misclassification rate. The application of these measurements can therefore be considered quite useful in forensic investigation when just fragmented scapular remains are recovered.