Evaluation of the baudoin condylar index diagnostic test for sex determination

Abstract

This article analyzes the performance of diagnostic tests for sex determination by examining human skulls, using the Baudoin condylar index. For this study, 215 skulls were examined, and the maximum dimensions (length and width) of the right and left occipital condyles, were noted. With these data, we calculated the Baudoin condylar index and determined the level of agreement between the values for the left and the right side, the sensitivity of the method, the accuracy of the tests and the positive predictive value for each sex. The level of agreement in the diagnosis based on both sides was 65.58% (of which 83.09% were of women, and 63.88% were of men). The overall accuracy was 41.39%, and a greater sensitivity was seen in women (52.1% right side and 64.78% left). The positive predictive value was higher in male skulls (77.6% right side, left side 76.68%). These results question the usefulness of the Baudoin condylar index for the diagnosis of sex and discuss the usefulness of their applicability in forensic and anthropological practice.