Abstract:

Objective To examine the reliability and accuracy of Walker’s model for estimating the sex of Han adults in western China by using cranium three-dimensional （3D） CT reconstruction, and to study the suitable cranial sex estimation model for Han people in western China. Methods A total of 576 cranial CT 3D reconstructed images from Hanzhong Hospital in Shaanxi Province from 2017 to 2021 were collected. These images were divided into the experimental group with 486 samples and the validation group with 90 samples. Walker’s model was used by observer 1 to estimate the sex of experimental group samples. The logistic function applicable to Han people in western China was corrected by observer 1. The 90 samples in the validation group were scored and substituted into the modified logistic function to complete the back substitution test by observer 1, 2 and 3. Results The accuracy of sex estimation of Han adults in western China was 63.2%-77.2% by applying Walker’s model. The accuracy of modified logistic function was 82.9%. The accuracy of sex estimation through back substitution test by 3 observers was 75.6%-91.1%, with a Kappa value of 0.689 （P<0.05） for inter-observer consistency and 0.874 （P<0.05） for intra-observer consistency. Conclusion There are great differences in bone characteristics among people from different regions. The modified logistic function can achieve higher accuracy in Han adults in western China.

Key words: forensic anthropology, cranium, sex estimation, CT three-dimensinal restruction, Han population