Comparative morphometric analysis of the clavicle in male and female human cadavers: Implications for forensic identification

Forensic sex estimation from fragmented skeletons challenges anthropology when pelvis and skull are absent. This study analyzed 120 dry human clavicles (60 male, 60 female) using maximum length, mid-shaft circumference and sternal end breadth and acromial end breadth measurements. All parameters demonstrated significant sexual dimorphism (p<0.001), with male clavicles consistently larger and discriminant analysis achieving 88.3% classification accuracy. Mid-shaft circumference and maximum length provided the strongest predictive values. Clavicle morphometrics advance forensic anthropology by offering reliable sex determination from isolated upper limb bones.