Morphological Variation in Cervical Spinous Processes: Potential Applications in the Forensic Identification of Race from the Skeleton

SM Duray · HB Morter · Smith Fj

48 citations0/0 files storedJournal of Forensic Sciences

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Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies Forensic and Genetic Research Dermatoglyphics and Human Traits

Abstract

Determination of race (ancestry) is an important step in the identification of individuals in forensic cases. Race is most commonly assessed using cranial traits. Few reliable postcranial indicators are known. In this study, the frequency of bifidity of cervical spinous processes at different vertebral levels was examined in a sample of 359 Americans of African (black) and European (white) descent. The sample was selected from the Hamann-Todd collection, a large modern anatomical collection of known sex and race. Spinous processes were classified as "bifid," "partially bifid," or "nonbifid" based on previously defined criteria. Sex and race were kept entirely unknown to the classifier (S.M.D.) during data collection. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and logistic regression analysis. At C2, most individuals (91%) had bifid spinous processes. At C7, nearly all (98%) had nonbifid spinous processes. Significant differences between race/sex subgroups were found at C3-C6. At each of these levels, whites showed a higher frequency of bifidity than blacks and males a higher frequency of bifidity than females. Differences between races were greater than differences within races. Logistic regression analysis revealed C3 and C4 to be the most useful levels for identifying race. Based on these levels, 76.05% of a validation subsample was correctly classified by race (80.25% for whites, 72.09% for blacks). Pending further study, morphology of the cervical spinous processes may provide an additional method for the determination of race in skeletal forensic cases.

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References

1984Human Identification: Case Studies in Forensic Anthropology 1939The presacral vertebrae of American white and negro males 1995Region Does Not Mean “Race”—Reality Versus Convention in Forensic Anthropology

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2019Ancestry Estimation Using Cranial and Postcranial Macromorphoscopic Traits 2013Combined radiographic and anthropological approaches to victim identification of partially decomposed or skeletal remains 2010Bilateral arcuate foramen associated with partial defect of the posterior arch of the atlas in a medieval skeleton: case report and review of the literature. Looking backward to go forward 2015Forensic Applicability of Femur Subtrochanteric Shape to Ancestry Assessment in Thai and White American Males 2016Metric assessment of ancestry from the vertebrae in South Africans 2007Sexual Dimorphism in the Vertebral Column 2017Discrete morphological variants of human cervical vertebrae: Exploring pattern of distribution and biological significance 2019Variation in the morphology of spinous processes in the cervical spine – An objective and parametric assessment based on CT study

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