Cited by 16Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology StudiesForensic and Genetic ResearchForensic Entomology and Diptera Studies

Sex estimation research trends in forensic anthropology between 2000 and 2022 in five prominent journals

Ferrell, Morgan J., Schultz, John J., Adams, Donovan M.·2024·Journal of Forensic Sciences

Abstract

In forensic anthropology, osteological sex estimation methods are continuously reevaluated and updated to improve classification accuracies. Therefore, to gain a comprehensive understanding of recent trends in sex estimation research in forensic anthropology, a content analysis of articles published between 2000 and 2022 in Forensic Science International , the Journal of Forensic Sciences , the International Journal of Legal Medicine , the American Journal of Biological Anthropology , and Forensic Anthropology , was performed. The main goals of this content analysis were to (1) examine trends in metric versus morphological research, (2) examine which areas of the skeleton have been explored, (3) examine which skeletal collections and population affinities have been most frequently utilized, and (4) determine which statistical methods were commonly implemented. A total of 440 articles were coded utilizing MAXQDA and the resulting codes were exported for analysis. Statistical analyses were conducted utilizing the Cochran‐Armitage and Jonckheere‐Terpstra tests for trends, as well as Fisher–Freeman–Halton tests. The results demonstrate that sex estimation research published in these journals has prioritized metric over morphological methods. Further, the most utilized skeletal regions continue to be the skull and pelvis, while the most popular classification statistics continue to be discriminant function analysis and logistic regression. This study also demonstrates that a substantial portion of research has been conducted utilizing U.S. and Europe‐based collections and limited populations. Based on these results, future sex estimation research must continue exploring the use of long bones and other postcranial elements, testing newer methods of analysis, as well as developing population‐inclusive methods.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1111/1556-4029.15522

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110 of 110 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 10

  1. Hunt DR, 2017, Forensic anthropology: a comprehensive introduction, 205
  2. Hooton EA, 1946, Up from the ape
  3. Krogman WM, 1939, Guide to the identification of human skeletal material, Fed Bur Investig Law Enforc Bull, 8, 3
  4. Walker PL, 1995, Grave reflections: portraying the past through cemetery studies, 31
  5. Marks J, 2017, Is science racist?
  6. Morton SG, 1839, Crania Americana
  7. 10.1002/(sici)1520‐6300(200005/06 · DOI
  8. 10.1002/(sici)1096‐8644(199909 · DOI
  9. Slice DE, 2018, 3D‐ID: geometric morphometric classification of crania for forensic scientists. Version 2018‐07‐1
  10. Klales AR, 2018, MorphoPASSE: the morphological pelvis and skull sex estimation database

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Authors
Ferrell, M. J., Schultz, J. J., & Adams, D. M.
Affiliations
University of Central Florida (US)
Corresponding author
Ferrell, Morgan J.
Venue
Journal of Forensic Sciences
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2024-04-10
Volume
69
Issue
4
Pages
1138-1154
ISSN
  • 0022-1198 (ISSN-L)
  • 1556-4029
OpenAlex
W4394724343
Cited by
13
References
109
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3
FWCI
21.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Forensic Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Forensic and Genetic Research
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies
Keywords
sex estimation, skeletal collections, population affinity, skull, pelvis, long bones, postcranial elements, discriminant function analysis, logistic regression
MeSH terms
Humans, Male, Periodicals as Topic, Research, Bibliometrics, Discriminant Analysis, Forensic Anthropology, Sex Determination by Skeleton

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