Deog-Im Kim

Morphometrics of the hyoid bone for human sex determination from digital photographs

ABSTRACT: The identification of unknown remains is very important. When unknown remains are found, anthropologists first determine their sex and age. The sex of most skeletons is determined by their shape. In the hyoid bone, the shape is sex related, so it can be used forensically to determine the sex. This study focused on sex‐based morphometry of the hyoid bone in Koreans using digital photographs. Hyoid bones from 52 males and 33 females were examined. For each subject, we took 34 measurements from photographs using a computer program, and the data were analyzed statistically using SPSS 11.0. Twenty‐one of 34 measurements had significant sex differences (p<0.05). The discriminant functions based on three measurements (X1−X3) were as follows:

Identification using frontal sinus by three-dimensional reconstruction from computed tomography.

Abstract:  Radiographs and computed tomography (CT) images have been increasingly applied and accepted in forensic sciences. Along with radiographs and CT images, the frontal sinus is often used for the individual identification because of its unique and unchangeable characteristics. The purpose of this study is to define the usefulness of three‐dimensional (3‐D) images of the frontal sinus for identification. CT images from 119 Korean cadavers were built up for 3‐D reconstruction and surveyed with 15 measurements. The total volume of the sinus, some nonmetric characteristics, and the bilateral asymmetry index in men differed significantly from those in women (p < 0.05). The digit codes, six sections and 10‐digit number, were almost able to accurately identify individuals (98%). This study showed a statistical difference between the sexes and classified the fused and prominent middle sinuses for the first time. This proposed method for identification is more accurate than those used in other studies.

Sex determination from the talus of Koreans by discriminant function analysis.

Abstract:  The aims of this study were to investigate the sex discriminating potential of the talus in Koreans and compare this with other analyses in different populations. Statistical analyses were performed using data from nine measurements acquired from 140 tali (70 men, 70 women). The talus of Koreans is dimorphic between sexes in all measurements (p < 0.01). Discriminant function equations were generated by univariate, multivariate, and stepwise methods with a range of accuracy from 67.1 to 87.1%. Stepwise equations of other populations did not discriminate the sex of the Korean sample as accurately as each equation’s own accuracies. The variables with high accuracy in this study are useful for sex determination of Koreans on the basis of confirmation of population specificity.

Sex determination from calcaneus in Korean using discriminant analysis.

The calcaneus can be used for the differentiation of sex and populations using discriminant function equations. This bone has been used for sex determination in some population groups, but it has not been used for sex determination in Koreans until now. The purpose of this study was to develop discriminant function equations for sex determination from the calcaneus in modern Koreans and prove the need for population-specific discriminant function equations. The sample consisted of 104 calcanei from modern Korean cadavers, and 10 variables were measured for each. All variables showed statistically significant sexual differences (P<0.05) and generated a large effect size (Cohens d>0.9). The accuracy ranged from 65.4 to 89.4%, the highest accuracy was when all variables were used in the direct method. In dimensional groups, the length dimensional group had the highest accuracy (84.6%), and MINB (body of calcaneus) and MAXL (maximum calcaneal length) could be used as a single measurement. Most Korean females were misclassified as males using the equations of other population groups, and this finding demonstrates the necessity of population-specific equations.

Sex determination using discriminant analysis of the medial and lateral condyles of the femur in Koreans

The proximal and distal parts of the femur show the differences between the sexes. Head diameter and the breadth of the epicondyle of the femur are known to distinguish males from females. The proximal end of the femur is studied to determine sex using discriminant analysis but; its distal end is not done. This study aims to develop an equation specific to Koreans by using the medial and lateral condyles of the femur, and to demonstrate the usefulness of equations for specific population groups. We used three-dimensional images from 202 Korean femurs. Twelve variables were measured with a computer program after the femurs were in alignment. Eleven variables showed a statistically significant difference between the sexes (P<0.01). The most accurate equation used width of the medial and lateral condyles (WDC), with of the medial condyle (WMC), depth of the lateral condyle (DLC), and depth of the intercondylar notch (DIN) (94.1%), and is as follows: D = 0.336 × WDC + (-0.097) × WMC + (-0.153) × DLC + 0.372 × DIN - 20.912. The second highest accuracy was 90.1% for the width dimensional group and WDC. This study shows that the medial and lateral condyles of the femur should be helpful for sex determination in situations where the skull and pelvis are missing and part of the femur is available. The study also demonstrates the need for different equations for different population groups.

The posterior meniscofemoral ligament: morphologic study and anatomic classification.

The meniscofemoral ligaments (MFLs) run from the medial femoral condyle to the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus and consist of anterior MFL (aMFL) and/or posterior MFL (pMFL) components according to whether it passes anterior or posterior to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The purpose of this study was to analyze the incidence and morphologic features of the MFLs in Koreans and formulate an anatomic classification system of MFLs to aid the detailed interpretation of medical imaging or biomechanical data. One hundred knees from 52 cadavers were studied. Eighty‐seven knees had pMFLs, whereas an aMFL was only found in one knee from a male cadaver. The pMFLs and PCLs were longer in males than in females (P < 0.05). The most common type of MFL was the high crossing of a typical pMFL against the PCL in both genders. Regarding other types, the incidence of absent pMFLs was higher in males than in females and the oblique bundle of the PCL was easily confused with the pMFL in several cases in both genders. These results provide the basis for the classification system of the MFL and will contribute to better outcomes for evaluating the MFL and PCL when using medical imaging such as arthro‐CT scan or MRI through a better understanding of the anatomy of the MFL and PCL. Clin. Anat. 25:634–640, 2012.

Evaluation of PCR‐reverse blot hybridization assay for the differentiation and identification of Mycobacterium species in liquid cultures

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of REBA Myco‐ID® assay based on the principle of reverse blot hybridization assay (REBA) for the rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), the differentiation of MTB from nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and the identification of NTM species in liquid cultures.