Abstract
Introduction and Objective:
Sex determination is one of the vital steps used by forensic experts in reducing matching procedures, easing the burden of investigations in the processes of establishing the identity of an individual. The aim of the present study was to develop and validate models for prediction of sex from external ear dimensions among adult Nigerians of Hausa ethnic lineage.
Materials and Methods:
The sample comprised of 357 students of Hausa ethnic origin (165 females and 192 males) with age range of 18 and 30 years (21.68 ± 2.53). Ten landmarks were defined on each participant after which eight paired dimensions were measured.
Results:
Sexual dimorphism in ear dimensions showed significantly higher median value in all the ear dimensions except for left tragus to helix (LT‐H). The highest effect size was observed in right ear lobe width (RELW) and the least in LT‐H. Four principal components (PCs) extracted explained 80% of the variance of the ear dimensions considered in the study. The sex prediction accuracy of the ear dimensions ranged from 54.51% to 93.73%, and a model with accuracy of 97.3% was developed and validated. From test and training populations, the sensitivity and specificity were found to range from 90% to 100% with AUC ranging from 97 to 100%.
Conclusion:
A model with high level of prediction accuracy and validation for sex determination from external ear anthropometry was developed.
Significance:
The performance of the models and cut‐off values were appropriate and excellent in the prediction of sex and possible application in the anthropological and forensic case work among adult Nigerians of Hausa ethnic group.