Reliability test of the visual assessment of cranial traits for sex determination

American Journal of Physical Anthropology
Dana E WalrathJaroslav Bruzek

Abstract

Interobserver variation in visual evaluation was analyzed for 10 cranial traits in a homogeneous archaeological series. Two observers independently scored cranial traits commonly used for determination of sex. Though determination of sex did not differ significantly for the two observers, individual traits had different levels of interobserver reliability. In addition, indices of relative "maleness" and "femaleness" derived by the two observers differed at statistically significant levels. Because such indices are used in cross-population comparisons of relative gracility and robusticity of diverse samples, these comparisons should be interpreted with caution when more than one investigator has performed an assessment. Most of our instances of interobserver discordance derived from character traits described in subjective terms without accompanying diagrams. Clarity of definition, rather than number of character traits, was found to be critical for effective determination of sex by the visual assessment method. Use of fewer, more precisely defined character traits can improve interobserver reliability.

References

Sep 1, 1977·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·D B BurrB L Gustav
Feb 1, 1987·Archives of General Psychiatry·P E ShroutJ L Fleiss
Sep 1, 1985·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·R S MeindlL Don Carlos
Jul 1, 1972·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·D P Van Gerven
Sep 1, 1972·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·K M Weiss
Jan 30, 2002·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Jaroslav Bruzek
Mar 1, 1963·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·E Giles, O Elliot
Jan 1, 1990·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Mark A EspelandOrah S Platt

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 9, 2011·Archives of Sexual Behavior·Vera PivonkovaJan Havlicek
Feb 4, 2014·Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine·Mitra AkhlaghiVahid Yousefinejad
Dec 3, 2014·Homo : internationale Zeitschrift für die vergleichende Forschung am Menschen·A SoficaruC Ionică
Mar 2, 2016·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Kewal KrishanR K Singh
Jul 11, 2012·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Brian M ShearerSebastian K T S Wärmländer
May 1, 2012·Journal of Archaeological Science·Sharon N Dewitte, Gail Hughes-Morey
Apr 29, 2016·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Cheyenne J Lewis, Heather M Garvin
Sep 20, 2011·Homo : internationale Zeitschrift für die vergleichende Forschung am Menschen·G Flensborg
Apr 13, 2011·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Pierre Guyomarc'h, Jaroslav Bruzek
Jan 20, 2010·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Venkatesh G NaikmasurSunil Mutalik
Oct 27, 2009·Homo : internationale Zeitschrift für die vergleichende Forschung am Menschen·Hayley Green, Darren Curnoe
May 19, 2009·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Elena F KraniotiAntonio Rosas
Dec 15, 2015·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Lyle W KonigsbergHelen M Liversidge
Aug 23, 2008·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Elena F KraniotiManolis Michalodimitrakis
Aug 12, 2015·Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery : JPRAS·R C MarshallS Eccles
May 16, 2006·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Gali Dar, Israel Hershkovitz
Feb 15, 2012·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Stephanie E Calce
Mar 1, 2012·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Heather M Garvin, Christopher B Ruff
Dec 17, 2009·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Paula N GonzalezValeria Bernal
May 12, 2012·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Klervia JaouenFrancis Albarède
Sep 15, 2012·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Sharon N Dewitte
Nov 23, 2011·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Vineeta SainiSunil K Tripathi
Mar 3, 2011·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Vineeta SainiSunil K Tripathi
Jul 30, 2014·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Natalia Brachetta AportaValeria Bernal
Jul 30, 2014·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Sara VickersJohn T Bowen
Mar 13, 2014·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Néstor A Perlaza
Mar 7, 2014·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Heather M GarvinLaurel A Mosca
Mar 15, 2006·Forensic Science International : Synergy·K S DhanjalH M Liversidge
Apr 14, 2015·Clinical Anatomy : Official Journal of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists & the British Association of Clinical Anatomists·Anja PetarosSebastian K T S Wärmländer
May 3, 2016·Homo : internationale Zeitschrift für die vergleichende Forschung am Menschen·K M LesciottoH M Garvin
Sep 14, 2016·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Eduardo SaldíasAlbert Isidro
Nov 5, 2016·Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine·Irena Zupanič PajničKsenija Geršak
Dec 23, 2016·Annals of Human Biology·Brittany S Walter, Sharon N DeWitte
May 17, 2017·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Natalie R LangleyAlesia Cloutier
Nov 18, 2017·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Heather M Garvin, Alexandra R Klales
Oct 14, 2006·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Valeria BernalPaula N Gonzalez
Mar 8, 2008·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Phillip L Walker
Oct 27, 2017·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Sharon N DeWitte
Mar 12, 2011·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Veronica L VanceEricka N L'Abbé
Oct 7, 2019·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Sharon N DeWitte, Samantha L Yaussy

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.